This blog is devoted to stuff that white people like

#69 Mos Def

In the olden days of white culture, people used to look up to Kings and Princes. These were the people that they adored, and every night they wished and hoped that somehow they could wake up and be just like them. But with Royal Families crumbling, that role has been filled by one man: Mos Def.

He is everything that white people dream about: authentic (“he’s from Brooklyn!”), funny (“he was on Chapelle show!”), artistic (have you heard “Black on Both Sides?”), an actor (“he’s in the new Gondry film!”) and not white (“I don’t see race”).

He has done an amazing job of being in big budget movies (The Italian Job) and having one of his songs become a white person wedding staple (Ms. Fat Booty) but still retaining authenticity and credibility.

If you find yourself in a social situation where you are asked to list your favorite actor or artist, you should always say Mos Def. This way you can name someone that everyone has heard of and you don’t look like you are trying to one up anybody. The only possible negative consequence is some white people might think “I wish I had said that first.”

871 Responses

Interesting, I usually tell people I like Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp is like this friend in my head. I guess I am a bit silly…but I love his work from years ago on Twentyone jump street. But most recently I am a buff of Pirates of the Caribbean. Can you figure that one Out?—-great blog…

Tattoos with words that are written in Asian languages (preferably Sanskrit or Tibetan): they always know how that particular word/phrase translates into English, but they often get it wrong! and they NEVER know how to read/write/speak anything else in that language… heh-heh — aside from Ohm…)

This is the first site that I’ve read all the way through in one sitting.

I note that there is a special class of uberwhite person who is compelled to put down anything that describes and tells the truth about how weak and feeble many white people actually are. It makes that white person feel strong. But the feeling fades and they are compelled to do it again.

Mos Def also starred in the film version of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To the Galaxy, which was required reading when white people were teenagers/college students. This is especially true of techies and pseudo-techies; many who are trying to prove their nerd cred will claim to have read this book. White people love Mos Def’s role in this film because they are tickled when brown people have British-ish accents* or recognizably “bohemian/eccentric” style,** and because his presence makes said movie less white.

*See also: White People Like Des’ree.
**See also: White People Like Macy Gray.

What we white people like most is ethnic sex! The men love asian chicks, (so colonial), and the women love the black dudes and a lot of white men also like that brown sugar, (reminds us of the good old plantation days). For me I have fondness for Indian women – Jewel in the Crown.

My dad–who loves wine, being near water, and the sunday NYtimes–wouldn’t know a Mos Def song if it hit him over the head, but he can’t get enough of him in Italian Job! He quotes his “i had a bad experience” line weekly! We also shouldn’t forget that Mos Def did a bit of “legit” theater acting as well, which fits white people’s love of plays.

Ever notice how whitepeople just love hardwood floors? And it’s not just that they LOVE them. To understand how much they love them you have to talk to whitewomen about them.

I can still remember the first time I spoke to a whitewoman about hardwood floors, and for her it wasn’t just a simple design preference, it was as if the choice was one of moral dimensions. She spoke – and I’ve had similar conversations with other whitewomen since – as though carpet was made from the shaven fur of tortured puppies. And not just any puppies, oh no – they were made from the fur of baby labs.

In the presence of these whitewomen you can be gay a lesbian a pedophile an abortionist or a Mexican coyote. In fact it’s probably better if you are. But you sure as hell better not let her find out that your home has wall-to-wall carpeting.

Oh, and home design shows. Not the Bob Villa/Norm Abrams kind, where you actually have to do much of the work, but the Extreme Home Improvement kind, where a vast cohort of mostly gay male design pros come in and “improve” the whole thing for you – preferably by tearing it down and starting over.

If they rip up the carpet to find hardwood floors underneath, well that’s all for the better.

Mos Def borrowed a lot from comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, the nervous, half-slurring way of talking/mumbling. But I like it. This blog not so much.
Too cheap and easy, race-baiting cutie-ness, which is not a white person quality, but really a young, attention-craving, don’t have many real worries in life, middle-class person quality. This is scientifically proven as well.

I Think I saw him In that Awful mess of a Movie “The Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy” and frankly, if he’s the guy i’m thinking of, he sucked. But then again, the whole movie sucked. Too bad Douglas Adams Didn’t live to see it and sue for Defamation of Character.

If that movie is any indication. He’s a talentless hack.

…and since when does being from crooklyn mean anything. Crooklyn Sucks!

What I would really like is for someone to explain to me why white people need to keep their window curtains and shades open at all times so that people can see what their houses look like on the inside.

Kanye West and Common are conscious rappers also
Mos Def and Talib also have a super group together
look it up
no white people in that age range listen to hip-hop
maybe a really small number
anyways
everythingimnot.wordpress…. you know the rest
check it out

I think you might want to consider cutting some Midwesterners out of your list, or at least being specific about the very specific kind of white person you’re describing, but other than that it’s like you’ve got a camera and have been watching the lives of my friends.

You know what white people REALLY like?:
stuffwhitepeoplelike.com
We white people can’t get enough of it! We like to smugly bring it up in conversation to not only trump the opinions and tastes of other white people, but also as an ironic justification for our own opinions and tastes! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a white person say, “Its funny because its so true! They got us pegged!”

You guys commenting on how the author is asian should stop stereotyping. The Authors of this blog are a young white couple. The girls photo is on the “About ” tab, and the photo of the guy recycling is the BF.

Funny blog, absolutely loving it. I’m white and I didn’t have a clue who mos def was. My Indian boyfriend says he loves mos def. Go figure, so much for stereotyping.

EZEd — “Why so defensive”? Just bringing a little balance to the thread, Ed. I’m not too defensive to be able to take a joke, or valid criticism. But this blog is almost certainly NOT by a white person, which to my mind, makes it at least subtly racist. From reading it, I suspect that it’s by a non-Japanese Asian guy (Korean would be my first guess). There’s a rule amongst humorists who externalize their humor: it’s called “full disclosure”. They must show themselves in order to expose themselves to similar ridicule or they’re just as dishonest as a Klansman hiding behind his hood.

Imagine if I, as a white guy, started a blog called “Stuff Black People Like”, and filled it with watermelon, fried chicken, dancing, gold teeth, cheap beer, pimping, etc. Can you feature the shit-storm of righteous indignation that would rain down upon me? Or if I proclaimed “white is beautiful” (instead of the approved “black is beautiful”) or “long live the white race” (rather than the allowed “viva la raza!”)?

So why is this blog any different? Is it because white people are supposed to be the only group capable of being racist? Or are immune to racism? Or the only one deserving of criticism (sorry — “good-natured spoofing”)? This is hardly innovative humor, you know. They might as well have said that white people like books, traveling or higher education. Equally true, and utterly meaningless unless you’re compiling statistics. But the subtext here is, of course, “look at those goofy white folks, caring about recycling and bicycles and all that crap! Aren’t they ridiculous?!”

Anyway, I too can laugh at myself and at those like me who like things like Japan and being politically aware and eating organic, even if I don’t find them being pointed out any more witty than a shopping list. “Stuff that people like” or “stuff that I like” by someone with an actual name and face would be far more interesting to me, and less cowardly.

Y’know, all this time I thought I was black. I mean, both my parents are black, and there parents are black…so that must make me black, right? But after reading most of the posts on this blog, I have learned that I am indeed a white person! Most of the things listed just happen to fall into my favorite things lists. I feel like I understand myself a little better now!

Tracy wrote “You guys commenting on how the author is asian should stop stereotyping. The Authors of this blog are a young white couple. The girls photo is on the ‘About’ tab, and the photo of the guy recycling is the BF.”

@Robert, you have a point that there’s this PC consensus that only white people are capable of racism which is far from the truth. However, your first post seems to show a slight ignorance of other cultures.

Intellectualism? Just because you may be more familiar with Western intellectualism doesn’t mean Eastern philosophy is any less intellectual. And I’m almost willing to bet there probably exists Asian music that can rival classical music.

Democracy may be a white invention, but Nazi Germany, Communist USSR, Mussolini, etc are prime examples that white people are just as capable of dictatorships as the non-white world.

Innovation is definitely a Western and moreover an American ideal. But don’t discount South Korea, Japan and increasingly China. The Western world is first for now, but history shows that always changes.

And while the West pats its own back with charitable contributions and aid to third world countries, you should keep an eye out for China. Still a developing nation themselves, they’ve been increasing aid to Africa and who knows, maybe without the stigma of being assisted by the US, some African nations may more readily accept it.

As to this site, I love it! It’s eerily true but perhaps a better title would be “Stuff that people who gentrify cities like.” Cause here in Manhattan (where the only people left are the ones who have assisted housing or those who can afford $3500/month+ rents), that describes me and all my friends, coworkers, acquaintances, etc., white or not (though the “not” population generally means Asian). 🙂

Greg E, I’m with you. Will my black card be rejected since I’m apparently acting “white” according to this blog. Maybe it was all that liberal learning that this Mississippi farm boy received at the ivy tower.

Robert, are all things good and beneficial to society fundamentally rooted in a white ethos? What would people of color have done without colonization, right? White culture is the only culture!

Again, Robert, thanks for the trite polarization of black and white interests. The things you offer are more characteristic of “urban” and working class blacks just like the things listed on here are more characteristic of hipsters. In additon to race, we all have a class that influences who we are. Afterall, I bet your Appalachian counterparts would beg to differ with this blog’s dictums.

Mos Def?? Ugh, I think this is one of those “multicultural” things some of us white people get into to sound inclusive without having to listen to the hard core stuff. It’s like rap stars who claim to LOVE Johnny Cash because “he knew about the black experience” or whatever. Yet another reminder that skin color may differ, but bullshit is universal.

H wrote “Robert, are all things good and beneficial to society fundamentally rooted in a white ethos? What would people of color have done without colonization, right? White culture is the only culture!”

You might be surprised to learn that colonization is hardly a white invention. I suggest you learn something about say, the Mongols, the Moors and other non-white groups who have colonized other parts of the world over the past couple of millennia. And it still goes on today, long after white nations have largely divested themselves of colonization. The last big wave of colonization was at the hands of Japan who, coincidentally, killed far more Chinese and Koreans during WWII than the Nazis killed. Have you heard of the Chinese colonization of Tibet that goes on to this day? You might want to look it up.

And news to you: the rest of the world can’t copy white culture quickly enough. We all know about Japan and how quickly they adopted Western modes, but some ascribe that to colonization. But have we colonized China? If so, I don’t recall the effort. Nevertheless, it’s blindingly obvious: China is turning “white”, from their clothing to their music to their infrastructure. A Western-style sociopolitical structure in China is maybe 15 years away. And ALL on their own volition! Who woulda thunk it?

“Again, Robert, thanks for the trite polarization of black and white interests. The things you offer are more characteristic of ‘urban’ and working class blacks just like the things listed on here are more characteristic of hipsters. In additon to race, we all have a class that influences who we are. Afterall, I bet your Appalachian counterparts would beg to differ with this blog’s dictums.”

I’m sorry that you didn’t get my little joke about “black interests” (i.e., watermelon); I didn’t think it was so subtle as to be easily missed. And if you think that Appalachian white people would beg to differ with this blog’s dictums, then why are you criticizing MY little critique?! If anyone’s painting with a uselessly broad brush, it’s this here blog.

Carl wrote “Intellectualism? Just because you may be more familiar with Western intellectualism doesn’t mean Eastern philosophy is any less intellectual. And I’m almost willing to bet there probably exists Asian music that can rival classical music.”

If so, I’ve never been able to find examples. Perhaps you can suggest a few?

“Democracy may be a white invention, but Nazi Germany, Communist USSR, Mussolini, etc are prime examples that white people are just as capable of dictatorships as the non-white world.”

Of course. In all fairness, though, I doubt you can cite any examples since 1945, whereas in the non-white world, there are dozens of dictators, to this day.

“Innovation is definitely a Western and moreover an American ideal. But don’t discount South Korea, Japan and increasingly China. The Western world is first for now, but history shows that always changes.”

The East is good at refining and modifying, but I think that you’ll find that primary inventions are still a Western province.

“And while the West pats its own back with charitable contributions and aid to third world countries, you should keep an eye out for China. Still a developing nation themselves, they’ve been increasing aid to Africa and who knows, maybe without the stigma of being assisted by the US, some African nations may more readily accept it.”

I hope that’s the case; I’d be happy to see more no-strings-attached aid from whatever quarter can offer it.

I feel like you keep leaving out a large portion of the white population.

You’ve got the young trendy democrats down, but I think you’re forgetting the other less PC bunch.

Michel Gondry? seriously? c’mon. you gotta expand your test population from your indie friends and their parents to something of a more scientifically respectable size. Unless there’s some subtitle to this blog that I’m forgetting to read somewhere that says, “Mostly applicable to southern californian yuppies.”

as a upper middle class, urban, liberal arts educated whitey I must agree that Mos Def is the token black guy that we upper middle class, urban, liberal arts educated white people can agree on as a common denominator when it comes to naming a hip Hip Hopper. How about Andre3000 from Outkast, though?

I am white, and I haven’t listened to Mos since the Black Star days….but that’s when I really started opening my ears to him and Talib and what they had to say, both as Black Star and individually. I still like the two of them in general, but since I read into the spoken word, I couldn’t stand the race-bashing anymore. I bought Kweli’s latest album and want money back! I haven’t made a Mos purchase in 10 years! Speaking of race-bashing, I am not sure if that is what this blog post was about or if it is mere humorous observation – I am a positive thinker…I’m going with humorous observation!

Once, while riding the bus here in Portland, Oregon, a place white people love, I heard two young white men discussing the theatrical merit of Mos Def. One said that Mos Def was good. The other argued that he was the best. “When he’s acting sad you’re like ‘oh man now I’m sad.’ That’s how you know he’s the best. I, being white, nodded in agreement from the front of the bus.

to Robert and tom sawyer who insist on assuming the blogger’s ethnicity (i.e. evil Korean/Chinese) and their intentions (i.e. jealous of white people/Japanese), check the flickr page that’s linked on this blog for the identity of the bloggers/creators. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pancakejess/

I’m a ANTI-ZIONIST, Fool. The SOB’s who are sucking this country’s blood and getting our people killed in Iraq for oil lines to be run to Haifa, Israel. Not to mention all the other BS they’ve done to this country.

NOTE PEOPLE! How the Zionist uses the Anti-Semite line of BS to shut people up. That’s his little BS gig he has going on the world. How about the way he treats Palestinians? Like the Nazis they really are.

Know how many American Jews have died fighting in our military service? 17 in BOTH Iraq and Afghanistan. Know how much it’s costing each and everyone of you financially? You could be driving a pretty nice set of wheels with it. Go to my site and see!

And yes, INDEED, I do support my own WHITE RACE. If you gotta problem with that, than you just go stick it in your hole, KROL. lol

The most “Politically Incorrect” blog at WP — one that tells it like it is and pulls no punches! Stop by — that is, if you can handle it (they’ve classified me as “Mature” so as to keep you the ZIONAZIS from having a hissy fit and keep everybody from learning the truth).

Right. Some people like living with their heads in the sand, apparently.

People! Many of those who use ridicule tactics are themselves aware of the facts of the world but do not want you to learn these things.

They have taken the lying US media’s tactics and made them their own. This guy “RiverC” has his own reasons (probable Zionist) to say things like that — YOU make up your own mind about it.

I put the facts there and the links to back it up. Read my words and decide for yourself. Don’t let the pseudo-intellectual “Gatekeeper’s” ridicule gambits go on. It’s tiresome and expensive to all of us.

Is Indian classical music “incredibly complex”? For being a traditional, conservative form, it is. Being based upon Vedic traditions (which are extremely — some might say pointlessly — complex), it could hardly be otherwise.

However, Indian classical music is essentially monophonic. There is just one melody line and there are no chord progressions. Compare that to Western classical music, with its full polyphony and constantly changing chordal structure. ICM is like Arabic calligraphy, if it were restrained to a palette of 7 colors; impressive but limited. Western classical music? It’s just like Western fine art: all colors, forms, emotions, expressions, media, etc. Which is more complex?

Also, the melody in ICM is essentially improvised (within a rigid structure), backed by a rhythm section of maybe 3 to 7 musicians playing as many different instruments. Compare that to having a full orchestra of 100 musicians playing over 20 separate instruments, each with a different part to play. Which is more complex?

Finally, Western classical music has evolved since its beginning. There is a line that stretches over 400 years from Claudio Monteverdi to Elliott Carter that shows incredible innovation and development. Where is that in ICM? It simply isn’t there. It’s a closed system. Which is more complex?

“Please find me one musician who would make the claim that you’re making.”

I could name most of my friends who are musicians, or I could also cite just about every scholar of Western classical music. Somehow I doubt that you’ll take any of their word for it.

“By the way, you’re a total a**.”

Coming from you, that’s as good as a compliment from someone whose opinion I respect. Sorry I couldn’t toe the approved PC line for your benefit.

Oh,Trollfighter I suppose you were trying to school us young’uns by mentioning people who were popular in your parents’ generation, but we have heard of those people and, yes, they were great. By the way, it is “Satchmo”(Louis Armstrong) and that was a nickname just as “The Duke” (Edward Kennedy Ellington) and “Cab” Calloway were. Mos Def (Dante Smith) does have a name, and so does Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman). Aliases in music are nothing new.

I love that Cab Calloway’s biggest and most enduring hit was about a woman who was a heroin/cocaine addict who would scam guys for drugs. It was first released in 1930. How’s that for gangster?

What we white people like most is ethnic sex! The men love asian chicks, (so colonial), and the women love the black dudes and a lot of white men also like that brown sugar, (reminds us of the good old plantation days). For me I have fondness for Indian women – Jewel in the Crown.”

Yep, and we’ve got a whole country full of little Mulatto/Eurasian kids running around to prove it. Fortunately, when the only White people left are the ones who innately abhore mating with other subspecies of the human race, it will be bred out of us. I assure you that the last White people will be nothing like the emasculated, infantilized people described in this blog. Funny blog BTW.

I’m sad that no one has yet mentioned the greatest movie line ever written:

“Was that Mos Def and Elvis Costello?”

-Said by Will Ferrell in the original release of “Talladega Nights,” but edited to something less funny on the DVD because the Venn Diagram for “people who know who Elvis Costello is” and “people who know who Mos Def is” has very little overlap, I assume.

of course, like mythology, the problem with giving a little education to some people is that they think they can use it to subvert whole populations or get one over on some unsuspecting person…unfortunately, some education must have been wasted on you for you to voice your latent hostilities…I suggest, a drug overdose, or therapy to somehow come to terms with your own misguided latent hostilities of why you are so dissatisfied.

I have taken it upon myself to properly interpret every item on this blog which has been intentionally written derisively so as to provide humor at the expense of white people (and does a damn good job at it) however nothing is more white then using analytical thinking and logical deduction to counter incorrect assumptions while arguing just for the sake of arguing!

hence: Mos Def

this item is a bit of a disconnect with stuff that white people like as it is very age appropriate. i am not familiar with mos def, never heard of him even though i follow pop culture from a cautious distance.

in fact if i were to hear someone use his name as recommended as in this blog i would tossle that persons hair and ask “how about a fresca!” then toss them a buck for a pack of yugioh cards.

unfortunately i agree with the spirit of the post in that the name dropping use of mos def is an attempt to inculcate in others that one is hip, so let me discuss that

familiarlity with modern culture and fads are a sign to others that one is keeping up with the latest news and is in tune with the group. these types of collective gang signs serves a basic generic purpose in human relations, not exclusive to white societies, and would generally be healthy except if the culture or fads one embraces are at odds with group health.

you are free to decide that for yourself, and in fact how you feel about mos def as a cultural touchstone is probably an identifier for other views you may have. (which serves another important purpose in human relations.)

I am white, and I love this blog, as do all my white friends. You should add the blog to the list, even though that would be terribly self-referential. White people also like to use smart-sounding words, like ‘self-referential.’

Highly Agree. Mos-Def is absolutely a perfect example of someone I like. I think it can be attributed to his suave and confident demeanor. He also has an air of originality and respect, he doesn’t put people down because it’s a ‘trend.’

I thought I was a white person, but I had no idea who Mos Def was until I read your blog. Clearly now I am much much whiter!
Incidentally, as a kid I thought that all American black people were hugely rich and lived in enormous houses with butlers. This is what you get for coming from a small village in Wales where the only American tv we could get was the Fresh Prince and the Cosby Show.

Love Mos Def- He was excellent in Something The Lord Made!
Plus, he just has a brilliant smile.
I’d like to add white people also love Ben Harper, Bob Marley, and India Arie. Red Hot Chili peppers. Feist.
And the Sundance channel.
And those “Life is Good” products.
Converse sneakers. Birkenstocks too.
And outfits with smocking on their kids…especially if they have two and they can match them up.

Oh! & Pottery Barn. and Jewish people. I love Jews! Sometimes I wish I could sneak into a synagogue and pretend to be one. Eat Latkes and talk about Curb your Enthusiasm.

I tell people I like Mos Def. I do like Mos Def but—I am always proud to tell people about it.
I like to crank him at stop lights and…think about him and watch Hitchhikers guide and think about how awesome he is.
Am I really being that cliche?

I love Jews! Sometimes I wish I could sneak into a synagogue and pretend to be one. Eat Latkes and talk about Curb your Enthusiasm.

How about Zionists? Have you any idea what these people are doing and costing this country in the world? With what you’ve paid out in taxes you could be driving a nice car or even more. See my blog posting: “America: Enslaved to Bloodsucking Zionists” for some shocking figures on how all of us are being totally ripped off!

You have no idea. And people say that the Vatican is responsible for all the wars? What a laugh.

I’m kind of “mos def” challenged. I’ve never heard of him, except maybe in a Steven Segal movie. I may be wrong.

Please don’t tell me that I am losing “virtue points” due to my inability to correctly identify proper multicultural icons. To tell you the truth, I am having a hard time relating to the whole “mos def” as an important cultural icon.

What is a “mos def”?

Since I speak english as a language, the term “mos def” is foriegn to me.

This white kid was down with Mos Def before it was cool! Seriously, though, this hits it right on the head. I’m definitely not the only white person I know that likes Mos Def, and I suspect that has something to do with the reasons stated above.

Racial considerations aside, though, Black On Both Sides is a kickass album.

In the comments, it is amazing and hilarious to see how much bile, resentment, and cluelessness is generated by each of the innocuous posts by this excellent blogger.

It is surreal in this particular instance that several “white people” here have expressed annoyance that they don’t even know who Mos Def is. Classic! As certain “white people” would say, a “meta” moment for this blog.

that Michael Gondry film looks really bad…what is up with mos def’s smile on the poster art? Its kind of like over the top happy. mos def is def questionable on some levels…but the fact that 3 different baby mom’s raise his kids together is on some bob marley’s sh*t. also does living in DUMBO also make a white lover?

btw the site is on point on some levels, but think you can definitely go a lot harder. what blows me away is the amount of traffic you have gotten!!

While this is generally true that white people like mos def because he is as you said; artistic, on chapelle’s show, and in the new gondry film. how ever as a whitey myself, he’s gone downhill as a rapper. black on both sides was outstanding but it was his swan song, someone should tell him, someone not white.

a lot of these white hipster fuks who put Mos Def on this huge pedistal have limited knowledge of the man’s music. They are obsessed with him because he dresses hip, has an avant-garde state of mind, and he’s an up and coming actor.

A lot of them purchased “Black on Both Sides” 3 years after it’s debut. And a lot of these same white folks that purchased “New Danger” (critically a disapointment) believe that this album is better than his first….simply because it has a rock fusion thing going on….PLEEZE

As a black man I do not have a problem with white people supporting Hip-Hop culture…but I really hate it when white people latch on to Mos-Def, The Roots, and other alternative Hip Hop artists for their surface level appeal versus their artistic creativity.

What’s so crazy is, when I go to Mos Def’s concerts, I’m like 1 out of 3 black folks in the entire club. Shit is getting wild

u could add Common and Talib Kweli on this list. I had a white friend who moved from West Milford, New Jersey to Brooklyn and called me because he spotted Common by his apartment… til this day he still tells the story

It used to be Sidney Poitier but he is no longer relevant. Nowadays I think the one person who is liked better by white people is Will Smith. Yeah I know he married black but they don’t seem to hold that against him.

In the old day racial stereotypes, segregation and prejudice used to be perpetuated by racist white men, now they are perpetuated by racists of ever colour, islamic apologist rappers, wannabe comedian bloggers… Look at how far we’ve, wouldn’t Dr King be proud.

To #47; amused Black Woman; okay this comment made me laugh like hell. I’m a Black male and this site is very funny; I grew up in a Boston suburb which was 95% White so I can identify; anyway, I drive past a White female friend’s house and her curtains and blinds all always open in her house, especially her bedroom-I’m surprised I can’t see her blowing cocaine or some guy inside her bedroom. Also, I’m renting a room from a White woman who never shuts the curtains to her livingroom and one time my mother asked me why is her shades always open? By the way Mos Def is great.

Funny thing is, Mos is one of the most pro-Black hip-hop artists in the biz at the moment. Although he’s not as “militant” as Dead Prez or Paris. He probably wouldn’t appreciate most of the entries in this very blog.

It’s his film career that makes Mos easy for white people to latch onto him as a non-threatening rapper. Mos Def’s movies are more white-friendly films than Ice Cube’s. The majority of his music’s fans are black, though. You can see for yourself by looking at the friends on his MySpace–not many white faces. The second solo record THE NEW DANGER was too intimidating for most casual hip hop listeners.

Thank you, #34 Anonymous! I was afraid for a minute my parents were just super-tan because I LOVE Mos Def (plus ATCQ, The Roots, and many other artists associated with the “backpacker” stereotype) … but you have proven that I may just be my true ethnic self after all because I don’t mind a carpeted floor at all!

Did we know the same person who thought hardwood floors were a moral decision? Because I knew this woman who was positively rabid over them.

Mos Def… I don’t know his work beyond Dave Chapelle and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, but he was excellent in “Something the Lord Made”…. and I’ve been told awhile back that he did an audio recording with the Royal Shakespeare Company, but I’ll have to check on that. (I think he was the only American listed in a cast of British actors.)

Comedy is all well and good, but I think Mos really shines with the serious stuff.

*he’s FAR MORE TALENTED*
than many of the people he’s shared the screen or (song)track with! He has an actual apreciation for his chosen art forms and is well versed in their histories (acting since he was in grade school).

*He doesnt hate white people*
(i hear this one alot from non-black folks who hear his songs but dont quite know about hip hop’s real messages),
He just encourages black folks to have knowledge of self and awareness of the many CONTRIBUTIONS TO WESTERN SOCIETY that many non-blacks dont know or would rather deny.
i.e.>when he said “elvis presley aint got no soul-Lil Richard is rockNroll..” he wasnt being rascist, just stating the truth, Elvis bit (“stole” for those non black/urban) his style from artists like Lil Richard who couldnt even play on the radio or in clubs without wearing makeup so the men wouldnt think they would steal their women…but i digress..
this post is hilarious because i AM a black male and Mos Def has ALWAYS been my favorite rapper/emcee; but i dont about the “white people live him more than blacks”, all my black friends think he’s dope…

And I love the way you deflected the matter by mentioning the UnPCness of your comment as if that in fact made it more true. Yes you were un-PC, your argument is also completely lacking in any basis, in any FACT. Who cares whether you’re PC when you’re just plain wrong? If you were just stating your opinion. Ok then. But that you present it as Truth? Humbug!

I have doubts about your professed “education.” And your comment about Indian classical music? Overly simplistic and incredibly inaccurate. This is an entire history of music we’re talking about here, that you demolish with a few careless paragraphs? Arrogant and absolutely ridiculous.

Have you ever heard of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges? Famous composer of African/French heritage? Much more well known in Europe, as during the early stages of American history the historical contributions of every other race were overlooked and to this day rarely taught or mentioned. Oh yes, don’t let me fail to mention… very complex music.

Some of the Native American tribes had some of the most complex music ever written. But let me ask you this: Does complex necessarily = better? Most of the music I enjoy is the simplest, the barest melody, the softest voice, and I would argue that it is some of the best music ever created.

Ever heard that the Chinese invented iron and steel? That the Chinese were light years ahead of Europeans in agriculture? They invented the compass, gunpowder and chess?

The Egyptians were one of the first cultures to develop a writing system, pyramids (which we still cannot replicate to this DAY) and the 365 day calendar.

The Indian culture invented algebra, trigonometry, and discovered that the Earth was round. Without the Indian mathematical system, how could we possibly have invented the computer?

Mexicans invented the Rocket Belt, and co-invented birth control pills.

Ever heard that African-Americans invented the typewriter, the elevator, the refrigerator, and performed the first open-heart surgery? Who are the reigning champions of tennis and golf these days?

Why don’t you take a look at all the people of color who’ve won the Nobel Prize. Why don’t you contact the board and let them know that their contributions don’t measure up to whites? Watch a whole group of white people laugh in your face.

As an Italian (we invented the piano) I would be pleased to seperate myself from your particular brand of whiteness. Why are white people all bundled up in one category anyway? My family didn’t believe in the melting pot, and we have strong cultural connections to our native land and would rather not be lumped in the general catagory of “white.”

To break it down: “White” is NOT a culture which is something you directly stated as an “educated” person.

Which takes me back to your supposed education. Because of the history of this country and its race politics, contributions of non-whites during the early 20th century were completely un-recognized (actually throw Italians, Jewish, and Irish in here as well). There are many inventions credited to white inventors that have since been uncovered or theorized to belong to non-white innovators, however, since no one but Anglo white men had political power in the United States until very recently, there was no way for people of color to gain any credibility in their discoveries.

Democracy? Democracy that includes a history of slavery and concentration camps will never be a true democracy to me. Democracy that includes history books that until very recently never mentioned women, people of color, and Jewish contributions in this country is not a real democracy. We don’t even LIVE in a democracy. We live in a democratic republic. And if you do your research there were many governments in Ancient India, China, and many African countries that are now considered republics/democracies (government by communal discussion). These existed long before European nations were even formed.

All the contributions towards other nations cannot hide the fact that oftentimes, the US has stunted development towards democratic principles in other countries. READ UP ON YOUR HISTORY. It is taking place even today. In fact let me know how much we spend on foreign aid on this country. How much charitable contributions make up in our annual budgets? In our own country, would you cite Bill Gates as an example? I’d raise you an Oprah who not only gives, but goes out to other countries and volunteers her time.

Don’t forget that if it’s the US that we speak of in terms of the “greatest nation,” the US is not a white country. The US is culturally heterogeneous, has always been so, and the contributions of all have led to the success of the country today.

Europe which has a large amount of whites, is not democratic.

It is not whites who invented the written word, paper (which I believe is a very important invention), or the mathematical principles on which computers (and yes the internet) are based upon.

And yes I think that many of these white cultural icons would disagree with you incredibly. Take Van Gogh, who was so impressed with the Japenese art form of printmaking that he copied Bridge in the Rain from Hiroshige. Many, many Western artists acknoledge and pay tribute to other cultures.

I consider myself a citizen of the world, green, also vegan, also atheist but lacking the biting racism hiding behind “intellectualism” that I see in your posts. By not limiting myself to the view that “white is better” I can understand the validity of other contributions. Your view of the world is overly simplistic, and with the amount of racial and cultural mixing that has occurred over the past few generations, it’s difficult to even pinpoint what is a “white contribution.” To point to the fact that white contributors are more famous in the Western hemisphere and translate that into White people are the only ones who invented anything worthwhile is foolhardy and dangerous. Open your mind. Travel. Learn about other cultural contributions and stop trying to put a label on who is better, what race, what country, and start appreciating the world.

I love the US. This is my country. And I cannot believe that someone who professes to care about the earth the way you do (green, vegan) could eradicate the historical contributions of every race but whites. It sickens me that on a joke website’s forum, I have to hear the all too serious ramifications of racism in this country spewed by someone who would dare call himself an “intellectual.”

The world was not built by one gender, one race, or one country. Everything that we enjoy in the modern world was built upon the contributions of every corner of this world. And I believe as member of the HUMAN race, I can feel proud of every acheivement we have made in our short time on Earth.

uh, white people (like me) like most rap. it helps them (me) identify with some sort of (faux) struggle that most of them (me) haven’t really experienced themselves. rap music is just like punk music is just like the smiths is just like whoever. it’s all about some sort of expression of joy, struggle, love blah.

the one true barometer for real hip hop is the gifted unlimited rhyme universal. if you ain’t down, you ain’t down point blank.

I now believe that white people are starting to like saying “humbug” again (see nora’s rediculously long post).
Mos Def is cool. His rap in Chappelle’s car is off the hook (too white? Whatever.). Also, he’s a good actor.

Nora, wow, no really I am at a lost for words. That was so passionate, a little long, but truly a work of art. There are so many people out there like Robert, who believes in the superior intellect of being White, who are themselves sadly ignorant of the world around them. White like you said is really not even a race in itself. I can name off a few ethnicity of White people right now: Anglo-Saxon, Slavs, Indo-European, Nordic-Scandinavians…

Robert being an American can most likely trace his origins back to none of these people, as Americans are typically so heterogeneous that they can relate to multiple ethnic groups. Therefore he has to fall back on being plainly and simply, White. His response to almost every question with rebuttals on how ultimately White innovations and ideas are superior to all else may also imply that he is simply insecure in the fact that there are other contribution by non “White” cultures that rival or even surpasses his beloved sense of White superiority. Certainly a close minded hypocritical individual who thinks himself the better of all, yet only a big fish in a small pond.

I am white as paper and I must admit, Mos is (and has been for years) my celebrity crush and most admired artist, along with Kweli. Recently, he visited the University of Michigan to perform a tribute to a legendary Detroit producer on MLK day… it was rather amusing to look over the “intellectual” crowd and see young, old, and all colored faces….

To prove your point, Mos was given an honorary faculty award at the end of his show… following which, he turned to the audience and stated “That’s professor Def to you!” knowing that the folks who bestowed this honor upon him didn’t know one thing about him. What they did know, however, was that it was the “cool” thing to do because young white people love this guy and they had heard that he raps positive messages. White folks, get on the train…

i was in a used clothing store on haight street in san francisco and the uber cool hipster girl behind the counter had her dog in there, some kind of white fluffy bichon frise, poodley lap dog kind of dog. she had named it Mos Def! i remeber wondering how he’d feel about this little dust mop being named after him. hipsters kill me. who else but middle class white people try really hard to dress like their poor?

This is so hilarious. Guys like Mos Def, Common, Tribe, The Roots and KRS-One are in a category called “conscience hip hop” and yet its white people who love them most!!! Wow, I’m not ashamed at all – instead very proud.

I saw A Tribe Called Quest back in 94. Before a song, Q-Tip said, “There’s a difference between hip-hop and rap.” So true! White people don’t like rap – they LOVE hip hip. What an indictment!!

[…] like irony. But one of the funnier posts I’ve seen is their post on Mos Def. They claim that white people like Mos Def for a number of reasons, and I have to say I find bits of their post prety entertaining. He is […]

white people in NZ go apeshit for J5 (which is a good thing)
definately the whitest hiphop type gig I’ve ever seen
note: NZ has barely any Africans in it at all, we do have a hell of a lot of islanders (more Samoans than Samoa for instance) but standard hiphop loving islanders will (generally) either embrace mainstream horrible popshithop or ganstery stuff ala Mobb Deep, guess J5 don’t swear or rap about violence nearly enough hehe

Man, Mos Def was on a show called the Cosby Mysteries back in, oh, 98 or 99. No shit.
I like it alot of course, because I am white and I like Mos Def and Bill Cosby(who doesn’t at least kinda like Cosby?)

As for these posts, i get so annoyed with white peeps, especially
a. alot of white girls, because they seem to be especially clueless and often think their daily lives are quite important and interesting, even though they have flat asses and flatter conversations.
b. white frat like dudes, which i myself could be classified as by taking a surface look. god, some white dudes are just awful and they give me such a headache and bad name.

herein lies the problem, alot of white people are pretty nice, genuine, funny, and cool though. Ok, maybe not alot. but some.
So being a whitey, I get somewhat defensive, but shit, most of what I’ve seen thus far has been pretty good, not always spot-on and sometimes overly generalized, but pretty funny and thought provoking.
I think white peeps reading this could really help them get some self-awareness, which is my major beef with whitey’s

What a fucking racist site. This may seem like an oxymoron, but its typical american. You are probably the nation on the face of the earth thats most interested in racial issues. But hey, since you arent interested in knowing about the other nations( or races for that matter) of the world (60% of all high school students couldnt find the UK on a map of the world!( 40% couldnt even find america!!!)), you might as well just spread prejudice generalizations in stead.
The level of uninformedness/ignorance of the american people is the general reason why we europeans are scared of american demo-crazy. the people have too much power according to their level of knowledge.

Awesome pick. I have totally told people how much I love Mos Def — I really do. And it is true, man, I feel so hip when dropping his name. Mos Def rocks, man. He was also awesome in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Awesome flick, awesome Mos Def.

Oh hells no, I’m 100% white and I can not stand Mos Def. He’s a good actor and writer, but his music just gets on my nerves, you can’t dance to that shiz…he talk too much!! Shut up and let the hook run, dammmm.

Add Dave Chappelle to the list. His take on the “uptight white guy” was so very much on the mark, making him a sure fave for all white people. I would also like to think that Eddie Murphy, back when he was still doing stand up and Beverly Hills Cop movies, could be on this list. Richard Pryor too.

Mos is a versatile brother. He’s a great actor and a great MC. I didn’t know white people liked him so much.

“Ms. Fat Booty” at a wedding? I love hip-hop and I am black but I would probably not play that at my wedding unless it had some kind of sentimental significance (or my wife did, indeed, have a fat booty). That is one of my favorites by him though.

Going along with the “look-how-I’m-into-diverse-music” theme, white people, when asked what kind of music they like, will say, “All kinds, you know, some jazz, some indie stuff, some hip-hop…” When quizzed on what kind of hip-hop they enjoy, white people will invariably say “The Roots”.

[…] some notes from last night’s Y event with Mos Def on the 92Y Blog. Turns out he’s not just for white people, though folks of all colors will love the new stuff he’s been working on with Madlib. It had […]

More than Mos Def, I’d say white folk take more to “The Roots” because they play their own instruments, and that might be seen as a closer relation to jazz music, which is a more perceived intellectual pursuit. Plus they’ve been around forever so anyone can claim that they’ve been into hip-hop since waaay back in the day.

@ # 64…White people pretty much are immune to racism b/c they are the majority and basically make the world go round….Now in about 10-15 years or that will not be the case as Spanish speaking people are likely to be a majority if not very close to it.

Mos Def stole the whole nine yards in the Bruce Willis movie, 16 Blocks. Shit ‘n’ stuff. He must’ve said that line more than a bunch of times, but each time it punctuated the movie. Sometimes repetition is good. It was here. The guy is flat out entertaining; though rap is not my favorite. Mos Def can out act the pants off most of the fluff going today. He’s a natural, IMHO.

White people love MLK!!! Well, not really him, they love using his “I Have A Dream” speech as an example of a “good” black man trying to love the racist white man. If black people don’t think like MLK they think he’s a “bad” black man, a nigger.

I had a boss who kept talking about how great Mos Def was. Needless to say, she was incredibly white… everytime she brought it up, I wanted to shoot myself. Same goes for Kweli, they definitely pander to their fanbase of wannabe trendy white kid college fucks

I was reading a off your list of “What White People Like” to a group friends and when I came across Mos Def a resounding “I love Mos Def!!” filled the room. That’s right, 5 people in unison declaring their love for Mos Def. You’re spot on with this one…

Dante Terrell Smith well know by his stage name MC Mos Def a member of Blackstar, paired up with MC Talib kweli and formed Blackstar. Mos def was a mojor force in the late 1990 underground hiphop explosion.I personally dont think he really known for his movie career,i first heard mos def when he released his single called “respiration” teaming with Talib kweli and common. He is also outspoken on political and social issues. He was more of a hiphop poetry with his words on what was going on in New York. So i disagree with using Mos Def when ever some one askes for my favorite actor or artist because i personally dont know what movies he had done and a lot of people dont listen to underground hiphop.

Mos Def is the shit! But have ya’ll heard of the Rapper/Emcee Novel? He was signed to Rawkus Records back when Mos Def and Talib Qweli was signed. He is coming out with his own album, “Audiobiography”. He is now signed to Capitol/Rowdy Records… and he’s produced songs on Alicia Keyes, Leona Lewis — and I heard he is now working with Beyonce!! You can see more of him at: http://www.myspace.com/novelmyspace

Kanye West is dope as well… he helped support a ROWDY artist, Colin Munroe who re-made “Flashing Lights” entitled, “I want those flashing lights.” You all should check it out on YOU TUBE, it’s getting a lot of press!! Rowdy is coming up!! From Colin Munroe, to NOVEL the awesome Rapper/Emcee, to The Dallas Austin Experience to the NEW TLC, Just a girl!!!!

I like Mos Def cause he’s good-looking. (Also, I do admire his acting skills… but I don’t claim to like him as a favorite actor.) As a “white person” I guess that is unusual (?). I’ll have to keep track of what all my “white” friends say. 😛

So true, I remember being in my college class and this guy heard me rapping and said I reminded him of Mos Def. No shape or form my flow, rhymes sounded like Mos Def. But I did a test on him to see how much he knew. He only came up with Mos Def, Kanye West, Common and Will Smith, lol…

…just so you know, my white people!
you may not be familiar with Mos Def, but he’s pretty familiar with you. he explains it all on his track”Mr.Nigga” on the ‘Black On Both Sides’ album.
a worthy listen 🙂

I have liked Mos Def since Urban Thermo Dynamics! Hows that for a name dropper? But when it comes to hip hop and the subculture called underground fuck most white people. Because they all latch on and water down the scene. But heres the other side, if it wasn’t for those white kids buying the albums then most of these artists would be broke as fuck, its not the inner city kids making their careers.

I am not into broad generalizations, although I can relate to some of these experiences coming from some of my white friends. However, the successful artist Robert living in San Fran… You are a trip, I was really amused to see how much effort you went to describe all these things that black people supposedly like. If you take an honest look, the site is poking fun but what was it honestly so bad?You degraded an entire group of people with all of the negative imagery you could think of. Went off into some white savior of the poor masses guilt thing, and somehow feel right about what you are saying… 1620-1968 slavery in some manifestation existed. Minstrel shows/films, Jim crow laws, “operation wetback” etc. Can you honestly believe what you wrote on here and try to flip the tables around? If you didn’t like it stay off it. Continue to enjoy your atheist, artistic, green, and vegan life.

Most white people are not in love with this guy. If they were he would be at will smith status but he is not. I guess you meant Will though. I think this stuff would be funnier if it actually applied to a majority white americans..

[…] love Mos Def to get black youth politically active, but it’s no accident that he has his own entry on Stuff White People Like. It turns that black youth basically like the same rap as white youth […]

[…] StuffWhitePeopleLike, simultaneously hilarious and problematic, has really blown up in the month or so it’s been in existence — 4 million hits. Best entries: Standing Still at Concerts, Expensive Sandwiches, Mos Def. […]

Mos Def has two albums. Black on Both Sides is spectacular; New Danger is solid but “Experimental”, which is really something white people love. Who else does experimental music? Check The Roots or Common if you want a realistic “White Person Addiction.”

Common says specifically (for which he caught beef): “When I perform, it’s just coffee shop chicks and white dudes.”

I must say, I’m happy to have stumbled upon this site. I find it hilarious and truthful.

This particular post about Mos Def hit home, because I just posted a entry on my blog about Mos Def a couple of weeks ago. My entry pretty much has groupy written all over it, but who cares, he’s the best.

Until reading your post, I didn’t know white people liked Mos Def so much. It got me to thinking. White people like my other two favorite actors who happen to be black: Queen Latifah and Morgan Freeman. Ha! Go figure.

The irony in your blog is that, though white people do like all of this stuff, other races do too; which proves we are all more alike than different. Though, I can’t get with the shorts in the winter time thing. White people definitely have a monopoly on that one.

huh? I didn’t feel like reading 300 comments, so I’ll cut to the chase. Have you listened to Mos Def? Do you know that he explicitly says that he does not want white people as fans and “we” have to take back the country?

Hilarious–when I was in high school, the equivalent was Arrested Development, Digable Planets, De La Soul and Guru’s horrid “Jazzmatazz” project. Now I guess it’s Mos Def, the Roots and, for those “in the know,” Sage Francis et al. And of course Tribe Called Quest has been leading this category for nearly two decades.

Hey all, I was just checking out Okayplayer.com, which is sort of an all-encompassing webpage for all of the modern hip-hop artists adored by white people.

Well, it seems that the Roots have leaked another song from their forthcoming album (I, being white, love the Roots, especially Black Thought), and Mos Def appears on the song (remember M-O-S on the Roots’ “Double Trouble” from THINGS FALL APART? If you’re white and you don’t own that album then I’m ashamed of you).

Anyway, this is probably his best verse since BLACK ON BOTH SIDES. It’s dope, my gringoes.

Oh yeah, and while I do find it odd that in the song “Rock N Roll”, he criticizes white artists like Elvis and the Stones who’ve borrowed from black music and then on the same album (specifically on “Brooklyn”) he interpolates RHCP’s “Under The Bridge”, I would never question Mos Def.

I’m quite white and I do like that Talib and Mos Def record. Maybe one of my favorites next to Labcabincalifornia, which many white people like, for good reasons. Apparently some black people did like the Pharcide but others did not, I wish I knew why and why not. Americans of all colors should get lit stay young and listen to Labcabincalifornia once a week.

Someone is off topic but I have to ask the question: are Jewish people white? Are Ashkenazi whiter than Sephartics? Can Scottish people be Jewish?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say incogman is the wrong type of white person. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t get invited to many dinner parties or enjoy irony. He is a vintage dbag though and probably a closet homo.

[…] all of the 1/32 Irish types who insist on telling you they are Irish (and being proud of it) #69 Mos Def – Who the hell is that? #52 Sarah Silverman – Could be simply the most annoying person on the […]

RZA is the one with the cute little dog listening to the old record player. Right? Oh, no, wait he’s the guy from Woopt Tank. God, I am sooooo, sloooowww. I better go to Java Bean and suck down a cup of hot, black Joe. There’s nothing like slirping down some hot, black Joe to get me going! Then comes the JZA!
woot! woot!

How devastating! I’m british, and while I recognise many of the traits on this site, we do things slightly differently: when british white people want their kids to be multi-lingual, for example, they don’t blame their parents, they just move their kids to France or Spain for a bit, or shack up with a non-native speaker. But Mos Def! we too love this guy – I’ve had a crush on him for years – and for exactly the same uncompromisingly whitey reasons. Ouch!

[…] popular sensation in the matter of a few months. I first came across the blog on the post about Mos Def while looking through tags and I ended up spending the larger portion of an hour browsing through a […]

[…] bought organic food to support my vegetarian lifestyle, drank out of my sigg bottle, listened to Mos Def and public radio on my ipod, and returned to my house near the water a stone’s throw from San […]

So true, but have you considered expanding this post to include all alternative or “positive” hip-hop? It seems like every white person I know (especially guys mid twenties to early thirties) loves A Tribe Called Quest and Talib Kweli.

Its not “ohm” dude..its “OM”…N i agree wid u…its the funniest blog i ever came across…Although none of the white people I know r anything like this…but maybe i’m friends wid the wrong kind of white people?

your self righteousness disgusts me for it is truly not justified. ughh

white people did not invent democracy, go look into the origins my good sir, you will find that early forms of democracy were in place in India and Mesopotamia which are not “white” nations.

rule of law thing is same as democracy…

innovation??? all these inventions you named are fairly recent and the society we live in is not homogenous so how do you know that an indian, asian, african american, native american or other minorities didn’t invent or help to invent these products.

you act as if there are only white philosophers. do a google search on japanese philosophers, ghanaian philosophers, colombian philosophers, or basifcally any non ethnically white country so that you can be better informed and not make stupid comments

charitable causes: just because you dont see minorities going to different countries, doesn’t mean that it doesnt happen. maybe they wanna focus on the messed up things that happen in their own country, instead of ignoring it and trying to help people miles away first.

complex music: “Benin preserve some of the most technically complex music in the world” i got that off of a national geographic website, the url is this… http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/region/content.region/africa_1 you can look for yourself. this isnt to say that classical music isn’t complex, but to claim that classical music is the most complex and sophisticated is ludicrous. what is sophisticated to some may not be for others. and unless you have done tonal, pitch and any other sound device tests yourself it is a matter of opinion that classical music is most complex.

“A willingness to be self-critical and take self-criticism from outsiders philosophically” i’m sure that that a prerequisite for one to be able to take criticism well is NOT that you be white… and how do you take self criticism from outsiders??

I need to never read the comments to these blogs again. While I find the blogs themselves hilarious… some of the people who obviously have NO sense of humour and apparently can’t stop reading something they claim to hate just infuriate me. Get a life. If what you believed in was rational, you would not have to try so hard to make other people believe it too.

idont much care for mos def but like mos blk. male his point of view is his . but i do think that blks. as ahole has to play there part we cannt keep blameing whites for hour mess ups we hav to take blame sometime

Its creepy how true that is. I know two white dudes who say they don’t like rap but love Immortal Technique because he’s “political”.

It’s funny to see the reactions to the true sentiment that white people love hip-hop. It strikes a racial nerve and because it does so, it gets a lot of stupid, smart, funny, and racists comments posted about hip-hop.

Just because white people like Mos Def doesn’t mean Mos Def is ONLY loved by white people. Mos Def is dope and anyone with says they listen to hip-hop regardless of race will agree either completely or in sentiment.

Most white people I know recognize Mos Def from the movies. It’s funny because Mos and Common both address the fact that a lot of white people like them in their songs.

Most people who post negative comments just don’t get the humor of the site.

I was hoping someone would post that quote from one of Common’s songs.

I don’t know this for sure but I bet all these artists labeled as “conscious” like Com and Mos Def hate that they get more white fans at shows than black fans. It’s not that getting white fans is bad, its that not enough black people are turning out, and I remember reading that sentiment from some artist I can’t remember.

And if you ask Mos, he’ll tell you that he can’t stand that he’s perceived the way he is by white people.

It seems like people don’t like the sentiment that white people love hip-hop. There are certain groups who have two types of fans: The people (not just white but a majority) who are nothing but hipster backpackers who think they’re fans for the right reason but aren’t and the actual fans who think Mos Def is a dope MC and actor.

Mos Def is an artist white people like. That was the point of this post. If people think that because of this Mos Def is less of an artist or he is only to be liked by white people, then those people are just ignorant. It makes the point that white people like Mos Def too, and not exclusively. It also makes the point that there are certain white people that latch on to Mos Def because he has certain appeals that white just so happen to stereotypically or otherwise like.

[…] in rhyme, Talib Kweli. It’s worth noting that listening to Mos Def was recently listed as something that white people like to do. In fact, I have to admit that I received my copies of Black Star and Black on Both Sides from a […]

[…] HowEVER, another live-band-backed hip hop outfit is rockin’ in my earphones now: The Roots‘ RISING DOWN just dropped. I am working my way through it. Stomping my left foot as I type. Goosebumps. This is the freshest, and not by virtue of being newest. It’s tight. I’ll save you the played out metaphors. I am gotta listen really close a few times through before I can say anymore than _go_get_this_album. Talib Kweli is here. Peedi Peedi is here. Mos Def is here. And I hear white people LOVE Mos. […]

we love em cause they embody the romantic ideal of the wandering artist. the lost generation carried them all over paris, having one implies familiarity with their output, a devotion to bohemian ideals yet enough money and education to not be considered actually bohemian. and they can be (legitimately) used publicly. we love us some highly-orchestrated conspicuous consumption…

Robert has something here … in amongst some seemingly judgemental comments, and damaging stereotypes. I don’t see many intelligent comments here. Some, not many.

One thing lacking in Robert’s stream-of-consciousness is what ‘white’ signifies.

More than physical appearance, it equates to privilege. For whatever reasons, the world is as it is, and in the majority, ‘white’ means ‘privileged’, whether that means not having your bags/car searched intensively at immigration/driving home from a club.

This is why equivalency is more than difficult. (And why I agree utterances such as ‘black is beautiful’ are still powerful, and useful, given the still existing bias in media) And also a reason why places like this blog exist.

Personally, I’m disappointed in the site, and doubt I’ll be back.

For disclosure, I am often classed as ‘white’. I am a light-skinned British Iranian from an inter-ethnic marriage. I love who I am, and I accept the ‘white’ label purely because I have seen the difficulties I have not had to suffer, and the privileges I have been graced with simply by others’ judgment of my ‘white’ status.
My friends and family have shown me the other side of the story, and I will always do everything I can to use my power, as a ‘privileged’ person to fight against wrongs, and even where not privileged.

Like I say, I have a mixed background, and have come across racism, sometimes at the hands of immigration officials, even in the country where I have a passport, the UK.

No time for hate. Fight for what is important, and make life better for all of us. It’s what will keep us human.

[…] #69 Mos Def- In the olden days of white culture, people used to look up to Kings and Princes. These were the people that they adored, and every night they wished and hoped that somehow they could wake up and be just like them. But with Royal Families crumbling, that role has been filled by one man: Mos Def. […]

everything was a little offset, but because of black comedians who try to make white people laugh and the non-educated rappers i can see why you would say “gold teeth, pimpin, dancing, beer” and maybe even “fried chicken”

but watermelon??? my family eats watermelon and they’re white. . . in the grocery store i see white people buy watermelon. . .i’ve never even seen that sterotype perpetuated in modern times. . .

Gotta chime MD’s acting has often been flatter than day-old Pibb. I started to wonder about this guy when he just stank in Italian Job and some other movie with aliens in it. Very pretty but not too interesting.

Ok this one is funny. I once worked with a white girl who LOVED mos def, and thought she “understood being black” because she majored in african american studies in college…guess what…she had never had so much as ONE black friend…ever

OK, you’re using an icon resembling a PE album cover. Then, you write as though you’re someone who’d be listening to Jim Nabors or someone like that.
What?
Also, I’m not quite sure what the hell you were trying to say in that last sentence. It’s written like a 10 year old thought it up.
Anyway, whatever.

In the olden days people shat into a hole in the ground and wiped their bum with reeds or their hand. Now we don’t. Now we have Charmin Ultra Super Mega Soft to clean our cornhole. Yep, times they do a change.

[…] MCs from Rising Down going to be hanging out? Was Talib or Peedy Peedy going to be there? Mos Def? Everyone loves Mos Def, right? ?uestlove wisely pumped out hits to keep the crowd on its feet, and prompted many a call […]

This is great…just a few days ago I watched Be Kind Rewind (dir. Gondry, another one on the SWPL list) with some (white) friends and we all agreed how much we like Mo Def. He’s great…loved him in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy too.

I LOVED BLACK ON BOTH SIDES(CLASSIC-NO DOUBT)
UHM THE 2 ND ALBUM WAS (ON A SCALE OF 1 -10,,10 BEING THE GREATEST)…IT SUCKED!-…
WE DISCUSSED LEGENDARY MC’S @ MY JOB YESTERDAY..AND OFCOURSE MOS,,IS ONE OF ‘EM!
WE ALL AGREE THAT HE WAS ON SOME JOHNNY CASH GUNS N ROSES ROCK N ROLL -ISH WITH HIS LAST ALBUM!
WE STILL LOVE MOS (OFCOURSE) BUT THE ESSENCE OF HIP HOP IS DONE!
I STILL LISTEN TO OMI SAYS,,,MS FAT BOOTY,,NOT TO MENTION GANG STAR N TALIB & HIGH TECH…

MOS COME BACK TO YOUR ROOTS,,N BLESS US WITH ANOTHER CLASSIC,,,YOU STILL HAVE A HARDCORE FAN BASE..

[…] Sides. Once the Neo[-Soul] and Messiah to hip-hop’s Matrix, Mos Def is now little more than #69 on Stuff White People Like. Actually, he’s an established actor who is still referred to by his rap name for some […]

“But with Royal Families crumbling, that role has been filled by one man: Mos Def”

I laughed so hard, I nearly fell out of my seat. Mos Def should be added to the list Stuff Self-Righteous Black People Like, such as dreadlocks, reggae (not to be confused with dancehall), The Boondocks, Africa, and controlled use of the “n” word.

No matter that he has been dead for more than 20 years and is no longer very popular even amongst his fellow Rastafarians, White People love Bob Marley.

Bob Marley provides White people with music they can sing along to, while feeling good about supporting the concerns of developing nations and the African diaspora. He also wholeheartedly supports the use of Marijuana, also widely favored by White people.

White people will often refer proudly to the fact that Bob Marley was, indeed, half White. This is significant given that Bob Marley is an international hero of oppressed peoples and the literal poster child for pan-Africanism.

Bob Marley has plenty of obscure and rare recordings for the advanced White person to seek out, while other White people will happily enjoy the Legend album – which is the cornerstone of most White people’s reggae collections.

Bob Marley is also the world’s most famous wearer of dreadlocks, a hairstyle that is for some reason increasingly embraced by White people the world over. And as a Rastafarian, he is a member of a religion that their parents most likely do not subscribe to making him exceptionally desirable as a cultural icon.

If you are a non-White person and can claim some relationship or affiliation with Bob Marley you are in a position to receive a lifetime supply of free Marijuana.

well imo. music has no color so it doesnt matter who likes what mos def is one of the few talented people out in the hip hop industry nowadays too much of that lil wayne **** and souljah boy is killing it…

mos def , talib , common, gangstarr, are all dope . they dont speak about all the shit that african americans like kanye, lil wayne, 50 cent, spit about money, money, money!!! american hiphop is slowly going downhill with all this rubbish. all everone raps about are dubs, money, etc. and what the fuk is with the sunglasses manye, those tools wear sunglasses at nighttime and all. cmon man.

While Stuff White People Like contributes on a massive scale to our invisibilization (really, it’s like the hipster flipside of Sarah Palin), I’m introducing a new blog called Bitter White Folks for Obama to explode this zero-sum game. My family were part of the 41 million who migrated from the Appalachian/Southern region to the Midwestern states in the postwar period: precisely the demographic from which support for Obama (and progressive politics as such) is supposed to be non-existent. But it was the economic policies of Reagan and the Clinton and Bush dynasties that produced such atrocities as the 2,200 square miles of strip-mining in Appalachia that have put thousands out of work, reduced the average income to the level of Mexico and forced migration to the North in search of jobs. So I actually completely agree with Obama’s sentiment: of course Appalachian and Midwestern communities are “bitter” – and it cannot be denied that more than a few have been mislead into believing that these elites somehow hear their voices. With the increasingly patronizing tone of the Republicans however (which Stuff White People Like only solidifies), many are rapidly becoming unconvinced – at least Obama speaks about the situation as it really is: as he put it in that same speech, “you can go into the toughest neighborhoods, you know working-class lunch-pail folks, you’ll find Obama enthusiasts. And you can go into places where you think I’d be very strong and people will just be skeptical”. For more, check out my blog at http://bitterwhitefolksforobama.blogspot.com

the mighty mos def is seriously one of the illest lyricists of our generation. shame on you folks with poor musical taste if you’re not down with flaco. go ahead and rock them stupid-ass stunner shades, your long white dresses, and your jeans that can fit a family of 4 (or a circus, whatver comes first). you think you’re thug but as soon as you’re not within earshot, me and my friends will start poiting and wondering what mcdonalds you’re going to or coming from. life lesson? mos def keeps you from working at mcdonalds.

One of the most sincerest, truest lyricists, yes, lyricist, not rapper, out here. What he and Talib Kweli have done and are continuing to do is nothing short of amazing. It’s quality music and not this hook-stuff they have going on now. Lots of people are just on the video songs, but they aren’t even the hardest. Black on Both Sides is one of the deepest and truest set of songs that I have ever heard. I hate new rap artists. Commercially made just for the coins

That is incredibly ignorant. First and foremost, I am white, and by no means racially insecure enough to have to “adopt” a stereotypical “token black friend” (which in itself is more prejudice and racist than any point you’ve attempted to make). I have liked Mos since Blackstar – as an artist first and a cultural figure second. Moreover, the shortened form “Def” is not representative of the complete word (definitely), but of the slang translation of good or appealing. The “Mos Definitely” play on words – is just that.

Everything you’ve attempted to make claim about is an ignorant, generalized, repugnant attempt at classifying all Caucasian people who are fans of Mos Def to only appreciate him for a series of falsified further generalizations of a typical black male entertainer as being a drug-abusing, gang-banging, but otherwise safe cultural icon for white people to align themselves with to appear as if they’re “down”.

haha, mos def is tight… a lot of shit on this site is. its jsut the pretention about it that makes it stupid…i think. but someone will undoubtable cut me down as that’s all people on comment boards do..because i am better than you and you are better than me and there is no point in voicing my opinion anyway right?

but yea..he’s tight and i think white people like him because he is intelligent but still hood and we feel more consicous about it. but he does make tight music that actually resonates into everyones life…taht is if you havea soul or a conscience and you can’t knock that. i mean i’m sure you could cuz we all suck

Hey, I’m black and I think this site is funny and enlightening. Just because you look at it one way does not mean other white folk see it the way you do. Heck, I listen to Country Music 95% of the time and can’t relate to the people next door at all, but i’m rambling… Anyway, don’t get your panties in a bunch, it aint that serious. We are not our parents, and I believe we have evolved enough to laugh at ourselves and the stupid thoughts we have.

[…] Every Wednesday I sit between 6:15pm and 9:15pm, redoing my high school maths. Looking to improve on my old marks, and hopefully be on my way to better things. Anyway I was chuffed to come up with tonights track as a musical link to that short story. Have a look at the excellent Stuff White People Like, for a Mos Def related story… found here. […]

We are a group of artists who will soundtrack the next generation’s stare down with history.

Face it – this country is seemingly days away from an historic changing of the guard. Who better to usher in all the pomp and circumstance than the avant-garde? That is precisely a function of Isobel Music Society.

Sooner than later, a plan will be revealed. In it, foolproof art that will positively affect your life. But we cannot do this alone. We need your help. We want your hearts. So, subscribe to our blogs and stay afloat of our music and art.

Most of us just get the single so we don’t have to listen to all the vulgarity about semi-automatic mac-11’s, money-hungry bitches & outlaw immortals that comes with the 2-CD greatest hits album. If we ever start to hunger for more we go out & buy “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” & tell everyone in poetry class about it.

Most people from any race that have heard of Mos Def like him because he is a good rapper and an entertaining actor. It’s stupid to pick on white people for something that is good. Not everybody says they like something just to impress others.
This site was a funny idea but some of the topics really bug me.

Mos Def is in upcoming Cadillac Records on December 5th as blues man Chuck Berry. That mixed with Adrien Brody and beautiful old Cadillac’s should make this movie a triple threat for white people! (But regardless, I actually saw it in press screening and it was really great… maybe cause I’m white.)

Hey, I’m from London – I once drove by a Mos Def gig in Kentish Town in the car (keeping a safe distance). The kids outside were all black – maybe they couldn’t get in because of all the white folk inside?

Um. I didn’t read that he said the writer was non-white. He said people he KNOWS not the author of this article. How white of you to correct him without reading what he really said. And how white of me to feel compelled to defend him.

Oh God. I am a black woman and I will tell you right now… the man is a damn talent! All you white people with your fair weather opinions can kiss his ass. Youtube his Dave Chappelle appearance with him in the car drivin’ through Brooklyn. That shit is beautiful! The man is not husband material but a talent non the less. Know your hip hop before you talk shit. He is the real deal Holyfield! Do any of you even know what that means? It’s Marcy!What?!

Umm Flobots are far from new, theyre an act and collective from Denver that has been around for about 3 years, and their album was released almost 2 and a half years ago, but was re-realeased with the success of “Handlebars”

and while I have been an avid listener for years, if you think that a collective of mildly talented post grads are even close to the works of Mos Def, you have no concept of music.

The man is brilliant in every essence, along with Andre 3000; he is just so talented in every aspect, and Black on Both Sides is undoubtedly one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard.

I’m a 21 yr old black man and sadly enough, I was introduced to most of Mos Def’s music by a white friend in high school (and for that matter, Talib Kweli, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul etc.). This was the only genre of hip-hop he listened to.

Many white people relate more to “conscious” hip-hop, more creative and critical, than mainstream hip-hop which is now either a club banger, or tracks more representative of the black experience and the hallowness of what too many working or lower-class blacks in America value (i.e money, status, brand names, power, sex, gratification).

I think it’s important to also remind people that he was in the movie The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This movie is based off of a book that you will find in most white people’s bookcase. They love it because it has that sort of smart humor that will actually make them laugh. That’s right. You will see them laughing out loud while reading a book, if it’s this one, usually once every four pages. But anyway, another reason they love Mos Def.

This is true for me personally, although I don’t think many white people in general know who he is. The man is a genius, though… The flow of Rakim, the soul of Plug Two, and the balls of Chuck D. Dude is sick…

Ahaha! This is so true! I have never met so many white people when I talk about rap music, the only person they name as being good is “Mos Def.” Sure he’s talented, but a majority of non-rap white fans believe he is the only person worth mentioning in conversation. If you think Mos Def is that good, you should not talk about the genre.

[…] I really like hip-hop. Well, some hip-hop anyway. I especially love Mos Def (and, har har har, no I am not white) and I’m kind of really excited for his next album, The Ecstatic to come out. Just heard two […]

Who the Hell is Mos Def???? Sounds like a Hearing aid commercial for old people. “Now I can hear when the mail man comes… thank you Mos Def” “Act now and it comes with a Handy Book Reading light” OH BOY gotta get me one of them.

[…] Mos Def also performed on Sunday night at the House of Blues on Sunset, and JohnFool and I were in attendance. JohnFool really likes Mos Def & now I think I know why…. (click here for explanation) […]

The guy is writing mainly about white people in large metropolitan cities.. If you don’t know who Mos Def is, then you’re a Redneck.. There’s plenty of other books that make fun of those people.. He’s talking about an entirely different population here. =) BTW, Mos Def is talented.. but way overrated…

Mosdef overrated? Are you serious? Have you heard redefinition? Have you heard respiration? his verses killed on both of those…..the dude, is anything, is UNDERATED…..but I digress, white folks do love them some M-O-S D-E-F inately…

That trend has not hit NYC yet. Most of here have not jumped on that bandwagon. Most of us know that he is just a face for the record company. What talent does he have? Prancing around in fresh denim while holding a mic “rapping” a 4 minute soliloquy about growing up in the self-induced ghetto…very original.

Yes Mos Def is awesome. But as a person of color from the Left Coast, the Bay Area ( and NO I don’t live in San Francisco, I live in the East Bay which hasn’t suffered from gentrification yet) I do attend a lot of underground venues; most Black and Brown people know who Mos Def is and like him, but he is not that popular. The local San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, and Vallejo artists are popular out here. Hoever, my friends on the East Coast like Mos Def too, but they also listen to more local and underground artists as well.
I do find this list of stuffwhitepeoplelike.com very interesting though.
But back to Mos Def; actually Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks, Madlib, E-40, Mac Dre, Keak Da Sneak, Army of the Pharoahs, Hieroglypics, Andre Nikatina, Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, People under the stairs, Zion-I, K’naan, K-OS, and many more nameless underground MC’s are more popular with people of color.

If you’re in NYC check out Mikey Moscow Delivery Service
Open from 12:00pm-12:00am, 7 days a week, everyday. Private, quick, courteous service. Delivery time in UNDER 60 mins. TEXT “MM?” to 347-553-3852. If this is your first time using service please email mikeymoscow@gmail.com for instructions first. Serving NYC & the 5 boro’s

I dunno, but here’s my 2 cents:
I maintain that white people don’t like Mos Def per se: they actually like “black artists that go to schools for the arts,” which just *happens* to include Mos Def (among others).

This also explains their fascination with films like “step it up,” which glamorizes the multi-ethnic hip-hop literati identity.

[…] the record industry that wants to make their profitable noise a commodity. Mos Def is #69 on What White People Like yet he can still walk down the street in Brooklyn and be respected. Mos Def can stand on stage […]

I’m an older white guy, and i’ve never heard his music, but I just like Mos Def. I like his name and how he got it. I like him in movies like cadillac records, be kind rewind, and the iltalian job. he’s cool without being over the top.

I want a name like that but i don’t have a phrase like ‘most definately’ to shorten. maybe I could be “Yesi” from yes Sir, or maybe ‘Heya’ from hell yeah- no what that’s a song…

Most respectfully, please submit this message also to Mos Def – personally. Thank you!
OUR “MOST BELOVED” AMERICA’S MOST EVIL CORPORATISM!
Most respectfully, this message was also sent to
UNIVERSAL CORPORATISM !!!
This Most-Loving Prayer was also addressed to Pope Benedict XVI – Most Faithfully!
THE WORST CRIME, EVER, AGAINST GOD’S HUMANITY – FOREVER?
GLOBAL NUCLEAR PERPLEXITY!
(In True Honor to Dr. Martin Luther King’s Most Patriotic Legacy!)
The Nucleus of Our Whole World Ever-Growing Suicidal Nuclear Crisis is created by no other than The Most Defrauding and Most Greedy Ultra-Conservative and/or by Ultra-Libertine Politico-Religionism everywhere – Universally! Our Whole World has No True Religion Anywhere!
The Nucleus of this Paramount Ambition of this Universal True Atheism is none other than The Global Most Voraciously Inhuman Corporative Economic Exploitation. All by extreme Global disregard of The Most Basic Human Universal Literacy and The Most Basic Universal Good-Samaritan Health Insurance. These two together are Almighty God’s True Democracy’s Vitally Essential Means for True Individual Equal Opportunity to reach GOD’S BEST Personal Human Gifts (RIGHTS).
All of Our Vast Perpetually Dehumanized (as Illiterate and Sick) Western World, is ever more and more so “CRUCIFIED” or threatened with impunity by The Religionist-Instilled Fear of “Going to Hell” if they have “No Faith” – if disobedient to their Politico-Religionist “Leadership”; that is, “’Heaven’ is ‘Living’ in Satanic Exploitation”!
Our Totally Politico-Religionist Western World has always even tried to expand Our Most-Voracious Greedy Corporatism to Our Islamic Eastern World’s “Friendly” Governments, but I most-strongly suspect that Islamic Religionism has an opposite but Equally Religionist-Inhuman Self-Defense: when Our Western Corporatist-Imposed Inhuman Intervention reach their Eastern Critical Level – like in Our Islamic World’s Unending Perplexity – The Islamic Religionist Counteracting “’Inspiration’-To-Go-To-Heaven” is The Ultra-Terrorist “Salvific” Individual Self-Immolation.
All of these, for sure, are The Portending Symbolism of A- Most-Certain- Nuclear- Armageddon! NO WAY FOR NUCLEAR SALVATION!!!
MAY WE TRULY PRAY THAT WE ALL – TRUE SOLID-AMERICANS – REALLY ENABLE THE ALMIGHTY TO BLESS (SAVE) OUR MOST-BELOVED TRUE AMERICA!!!
OTHERWISE, ANY OTHER CRIME OR ABORTION IS AN “INNOCENT” BY-PRODUCT!!!

Most respectfully. please submit this message also to Mos Def – personally. Thank you!
OUR “MOST BELOVED” AMERICA’S MOST SATANIC RELIGIONISM!
Most respectfully, this message was also sent to
UNIVERSAL RELIGIONISM !!!
This Most-Loving Prayer was also addressed to Pope Benedict XVI – Most Faithfully!
This is about The Most Criminal, World-Wide, RELIGIONISM – Ever!
All that Our Whole World has ever needed – and still presently needs, foremost and more than ever – is A TRULY AMERICAN National Incorrupt Reevaluation!
“HAPPY HOLIDAYS”!!!
“MERRY CHRISTMAS”!!!
“HAPPY NEW YEAR”!!!
“HAPPY NEW CENTURY”
ALMIGHTY GOD’S “NUCLEAR” WORLD’S TRUE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY; THAT IS, UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE GOD’S HUMAN RIGHTS (HIS “BEST” “GIFTS”), shall never exist for us in our “America”, and in our “Free” “Nuclear” World, UNTIL BOTH CRUCIAL GOD’S DETERMINANTS – UNIVERSAL FUNCTIONAL LITERACY and UNIVERSAL GOOD-SAMARITAN HEALTH INSURANCE – are Legislatively Compelled (Constitutionally) as a Fully-Punishing Humanitarian Criminal Law; that is, until Our Insatiable Ultra Filthy-Wealthy CORPORATIST “American” Government so give the True Example, OF SUCH A SACRED UNIVERSALLY HUMAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, for the sake of Our Most Exploited and Most Suffering Illiterate and Sick “American” World!
Almighty God did not write HIS BIBLE just to “Inspire” The Implacable Religionist “Sacrosanct” Church-like Corporations of This World to use IT as toilet paper – that is, to use IT as Such a Globalized, Religionist, Materialist, PIOUSLY MUM, AND SO ULTIMATELY EQUALLY SUICIDAL-TERRORIST, SUBLIMINAL INHUMAN EXPLOITATION!
Why “THE TRULY UNIVERSAL CHURCH” – as “FREE AND SEPARATE FROM THE STATE” NEVER TAKE ALL OF THESE, AS THE TRUE DAILY PREACHING INITIATIVE – AS TRUE RELIGIOUS LEADERS DID???!!! BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ANY MORE “THE TRUE SERVANTS OF ALMIGHTY GOD” – AS THEY SO “FERVENTLY” CLAIM – BUT OF GOVERNMENTAL “COMFORTABLY” RAPACIOUS CORPORATIST MOST INHUMAN WORLD POLITICS!!!
WHY ABSOLUTELY NOBODY SAY ANYTHING – SPECIALLY AT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TIME — ABOUT DENOUNCING AND UPROOTING ONCE AND FOR ALL OUR EVER ANTI-AMERICAN AND ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MOST SHAMELESSLY “HIDDEN” ILLITERACY AND LACK OF GOOD-SAMARITAN HEALTH INSURANCE!
THE ONLY TRUE POLITICAL SPEECHES THAT OUR AMERICA NEEDS – FOR SALVATION – IS TRUE BEST RELIGIOUS INSPIRATION, BUT NEVER BY OUR OVER-CAMOUFLAGED PERPETUATION OF IRRELIGIOUS INHUMAN SLAVERY AND DISCRIMINATION!
WHY ARE WE SO SILENT AND OBSTINATE?
MAY WE TRULY PRAY THAT WE ALL TRUE SOLID AMERICANS REALLY ENABLE ALMIGHTY GOD TO BLESS (SAVE) OUR MOST BELOVED TRUE AMERICA!!!
OTHERWISE, ANY OTHER CRIME OR ABORTION IS AN “INNOCENT” BY-PRODUCT!!!

Wow, I never knew I liked Mos Def because I was white; I should really check this site out.

I’m a movie trivia fanatic and an Alan Rickman fan and was blown away by the young actor who portrayed Vivien Thomas in “Something The Lord Made,” and somewhat befuddled when I read his name in the credits. “Mos Def?” “Mos Who? Huh?” was my reaction.

Rapper? Hip hop artist? No way!

Since then I’ve seen him in a number of things but never heard any of his music, not being a rap fan at all. However, there’s something about him as an actor that’s very appealing.

I never knew til today that the “something” has to do with me being an old white woman.

Your mexican so you can get away with being racist? Where did you get the impression that mexicans are regarded as any less bigoted for being racist? If anything, you being racist makes you look even more ignorant than a white person. You must not have noticed that modern day latin american culture is defined by self hatred of the darker indigenous skin pigmentations while the white skin of european descendents is envied. So I guess you adhere to the racist philosophies of the Spanish that conquered your country, murdered your people and exploited your resources. Turn on Univision, we dont look like that. You Diego, have been brainwashed.

If I find myself in a social situation where Mos Def is brought up, I’ll have to mention how he’s really an ignorant, uninformed conspiracy nut. Just watch his appearance on “Overtime with Bill Maher”. I used to think he was a “conscious” and “intelligent MC”. Now I don’t even know what that means any more.

Don’t care about all that. Have you heard him SING? No, not rap – s-i-n-g. He’s got this voice that can kill. It’s like warm carmel, soft, velvety, sexy, smoldering, sweet, make love to me kind of voice. I just him to do an album where all he does is sing. Check out “Creole” on Charlie Hunter’s CD “Songs From the Analog Playground”. I can’t live again until I hear him sing like that song again. Nuf said. Mos.. are you listenin’ baby?

[…] but so can a pug that’s has digestive problems. But to not hurt those readers that believe Mos Def is authentic (”he’s from Brooklyn!”), funny (”he was on Chapelle show!”), artistic… and true hip-hop, I give you a dope collection of rares and remixes. Its a box set that came out in […]

[…] on things we talk about all the time (#11 Asian Girls). And stuff that hits too damn close to home (#69 Mos Def and #91 San Francisco). But the latest one is about Ed Hardy. A topic we here at BcB love to throw […]

[…] have been waiting for what seems like ages for new music by Mos Def–he is, after all, #69 on Stuff White People Like–so his show with Ledisi, Bilal and Stokley, showcasing the first tracks of an album that […]

The Black Star album (mos def and talib kwali) is the best hip hop comp I have ever experienced. I thought that was because they coupled clever phrases with toe tappin beats. Turns out it was because mighty mos kicked ass in “be kind rewind” six years after I first heard it. Can I still like dj jazzy jeff and the fresh prince?

Although I agree that Mos Def is a rare talent and shining star in the crumbling world of rap music…I take issue with any stance that says white people “dream about” being someone who is:
authentic, funny, artistic, an actor and NOT WHITE?

I’m a white guy who has loved rap way back from Dougie Fresh, BDP, to Rakim, Tribe Called Quest and De La, to Jay Z, Mos Def, Lupe etc.

Ah Ha! Your attempts to pass as a white person have failed. You may have fooled the amateurs, but you eating white bread gave it away. A true white person would only eat organic, hand-made, 7 grain, whole wheat bread. With soy mayo for extra points.

yeah i agree i thought i jus like mos def cause he is a great rapper and actually raps about things that make sense, but i guess its jus cause im white. and i really dont see the relationship between mos def and kings or whatever the author was talking about. man the things stupid people can come up with when they have no lives.

I actually bought some 7 grain whole wheat bread recently but alas it was made by Orowheat and it came from a Ralph’s supermarket so therefore it couldn’t have been made by hand. I also don’t think it is organic.

I am thinking of going to my local Whole Foods tonight and check out their bread selection to see if I can find some 7 grainer organic bread that claims to be hand made.

If I am able to achieve this objective then I am confident that I will have further enhanced my status as an ultra-hip urban whitey.

Also, I need to check out some soy mayo while I’m at Whole Foods tonight.

I think you are a moron. Just figured I should let you know. Of course like the typical male you only can voice your opinion behind a computer screen because you are worried of what might come of your comments. I’m used to it being part Arab, people talk crap about Arabs all the time but I’ve never really had anyone do it to my face. The reason? Fear.

Concider the following lyrics fron Mos Def’s “Bush Knocked Down the Towers”.

“So, I’m strapped like Lee Malvo
holdin’ a sniper rifle
these bullets’ll touch your kids
and I don’t mean like Michael
your body’ll be sent to the morgue
stripped down and recycled
I fire on house niggas that support you and like you
cuz innocent people get murdered. . . ”

From Wikipedia entry on the DC snipers –

“Muhammad’s goal in Phase One was to kill six white people a day for 30 days.

Phase Two was intended to begin by killing a pregnant woman by shooting her in the stomach.

The next step would have been to shoot and kill a Baltimore City police officer. Then, at the officer’s funeral, a large number of police officers were to be killed with IEDs.

The third phase was to extort several million dollars from the U.S. government. This money would be used to finance a larger plan: to travel north into Canada and recruit other effectively orphaned boys to use weapons and stealth, and send them out to commit shootings across the country.”

The mighty Mos is amazing, no doubt about that, he has climbed to the top because he knows how the system works and he has set his mind to his goals and manifested his destiny.
Im white but to say i like him because im white is a generalised stereotype assuming i heard/saw him through the crappy pop media outlet that is controlled by corporate fat cats only interested in $$$ which generally is all most of the population (which is now not even majority white) will listen/watch, in short they are told to like him.
I don’t listen to the radio, i don’t watch tv but i do listen to Urban Thermo Dynamics an have done for many years and if you don’t know who they are go look them up!!

So your logic doesnt apply to all but most and f*** kings and queens, the British monarchy is German and they clutch very tightly to their power of which God supposedly willed them to have… does that mean i can will myself to own countries to and declare my bloodline “royal”?? Not to mention that Bush senior sweared his alliegence to the Queen but that was never in the public eye so your all unaware of who really runs your country.

I also sympathise with the Afghanistani rebel group known as the Taliban; their country is being invaded regardless if its for the freedom of the American people against the mystical illusive enemy terrorism, what would you do in that situation!! The only people attacking you is you!
I don’t claim to know who flew the planes into your towers, but i do know who didnt and thats the people they say did as most of them are still alive! If you look at the facts yourself and don’t instead believe the straight up hype your told then you’ll see truth for yourself. I’m sure this is exactly how Mos feels, he’s not a secret jihadi, he doesnt want to bring down America he like me probably doesnt agree with globilisation and the invasion of fundamental islamic countries by fundamental christian countries when globilisation doesnt go the way ‘they’ want it to.

So i don’t know how this post turned into a all out rant but stop supporting terrorism, buy natural goods grown for your health not mass produced ones manufactured for your money!

Peace & Love and if you haven’t heard KRS-ONE; this should help explain things!

If you listen to the news and only the news you are very misinformed. Your told if anything one side of the story, its not what the news is telling you thats the problem, though most of it is propaganda for your country, its what they’re not telling you, you think you have an informed opinion on the world if you watched the news highlights on CNN or any other acronym??

Come on man get out there, theres so much knowledge on absolutely everything and now its so easy to get hold of it and to make your own mind up on what is going on rather then listen to only what your state wants you to hear! They’re not telling you shit that would be detremental for the state, ie that the taliban aren’t really the guys that flew those planes but they have been blamed because of who they are: A resistance force fighting the oppressive power over afghanistan, you want to know why we’re oppressing them? The drugs trade.

Globilisation is literally the raping of third world countries for their land money and resources for the benefit of first world ones. Just type globilisation into google and see all that they “forgot” to tell you about whats really happening in the world.

Afghanistan is some rediculously high percentage of the heroin trade and that is big big money. If you took your head out of your blog an assuming you know absolutely what its like to be white and looked at just a bit of history you’ll know that countries have fought over afghanistan for hundreds of years for this reason. Before this current war it was america and russia but your told its against communism, before that britain and china and nobody is told anything because public news wasn’t anything but a news paper. It always has been centred around the heroin trade and the money it makes.

I think the planes hitting the towers is an atrocity against the free world, i think the people responsible should be put on trial and made to pick up dog shit and be beaten everyday for the rest of their lives as the death penalty would be letting them off light! Wheres Osama now, you’ll never see him caught because he isn’t working for the taliban! The day before the planes hit the towers the real Taliban rose up and started burning the poppy fields destroying a lot of the crop and damaging the business, the next day George W following executive orders, had the reason to get you the public backing them to launch an illegal invasion on afghanistan. This is the reality and thats not from a pop star or from your so called informed news! Wake up!

Anyways i like your site its pretty amusing, but had i read someof the rest of the site instead of just straight defending someone who has been all over the world and will be way way way more informed then you are then i would not have told you i was white because you now think you know me and trust me you don’t.

If you don’t want to even consider any of the things i’ve dropped on you today then thats cool dude have a nice life, i hope it all works out for you. If you do, just go look bro i wouldn’t write all this if i thought any of it was fake or i was unsure!

the lyrics you posted arent even by mos def. its from the song “bin laden” by immortal technique. get your facts straight before insulting the man. btw i dont really agree with his beliefs, but hes an amazing mc and if you dont like the blackstar album, then you are insane. ^_^

From Wikipedia –
“Afghanistan saw a bumper opium crop of 4,600 metric tons in 1999, WHICH WAS THE HIEGHT OF TALIBAN RULE in Afghanistan.

According to a Swiss security publication, ‘SicherheitsForum’ (April 2006, pp:56-57), this resulted in supply exceeding demand and a drop in the high-street price of heroin and morphine in the West, endangering the profitability of European drug smugglers.

It has been said that European Smugglers demanded a reduction in supply to counter lower prices.”

“Afghanistan briefly witnessed one of the world’s most successful anti-drug campaigns when Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar declared that growing poppies is un-Islamic.

Some historians allege the Taliban cynically cut production to increase the values of their own stockpiles, although never verified, the effect in the fields was dramatic: a year’s crop was almost entirely wiped out and production was down to zero.”

Taliban attack musicians at Afghan wedding
Mon Jun 15, 2009
Taliban delivers death threats to non-Muslims
Taliban militants are threatening Christians, Sikhs, and Muslim minoritiy sects with death and onerous headtaxes should they not convert to their violent version of Islam.

Pakistan: Villagers take on Taliban, 14 militants killed

June 14, 2009
Taliban dupe boy, 12, into planting bomb

Taliban have destroyed 10 schools in the last week. daily times monitor
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

“Taliban gunmen shooting couple dead for adultery caught on camera,” by Saeed Shah for the Telegraph, April 25:

Afghan girls risk lives to go to school 01/15/2009

“Taliban promises attack on Washington that will ‘amaze’ the world after Pakistan police massacre” March 31, 2009

“Taliban militants behead four in Pakistan” October 11,2009

Human Rights Watch – “Taliban targets civilians”

Taliban kill young couple for eloping April 14, 2009

Pakistan: Taliban demands all unmarried girls be wed to their jihadists January 3, 2009

Pakistani villagers rise up against Taliban August 27, 2008

Peshawar, Mar 1 2007: After banning music in the tribal areas, the Taliban have reportedly started fining taxi drivers and citizens in the Bajaur Agency to the tune of Rs 500 for their only fault of listening to music cassettes in their cars.

PAKISTAN today banned the main Taliban militant group behind a wave of suicide attacks in the country that has killed hundreds of people since last year. August 25, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 27 (UPI) — Taliban militants in northern Pakistan are preventing 300,000 children from being vaccinated against polio, the World Health Organization says.March 27,2009

“Afghan women decry Taleban talks October 29,2008

BRITISH forces have seized heroin worth £50 million ($A111.2 million) and killed at least 20 Taliban fighters in a daring raid that dealt a significant blow to the insurgents in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.February 19,2009

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The lawyer for an American sentenced to 20 years in a U.S. prison for fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan appealed to President Bush to lessen his sentence after a man in a similar case was freed. Sep 28,2004

This comment fed into every other thing that white people like, such as public radio, black music that black people don’t listen to anymore, being offended, mos def, music piracy, public radio, and awareness. God I love this list.

I’m black and I like some of Mos Def’s music but I download his songs illegally just to spite him. The whole jihadi thing is not something I can ignore. This heated debate is interesting and all but shouldn’t we be discussing the article.

I’m black and I like some of Mos Def’s music but I download his songs illegally just to spite him. The whole jihadi thing is not something I can ignore. This heated debate is interesting and all but shouldn’t we be discussing the article?

Has anyone seen next day air yet, that looked good,
Mos Def, donald Faison, and Omar epps they are like my 3 favorite black actors of all time other 2 are will smith (who doesnt like will smith) and denzel washington

Honestly?! I was suprised as hell to see mos def on this list. I wasn’t aware that white people knew of his existence. Most if not all of the white people i know don’t know who he is or even like his music.

I’m an ROWG (really old white guy) who has now seen Mos Def several times – the first being “16 Blocks” where I was blown away. “Who is this guy?” “I gotta go home and google this guy!” were my first two thoughts. He is a very impressive man, and I hope to see much more of him on the big screen…

There are about 10 actors, whose movies I will go see just because they are in them. Not in any particular order: Gene Hackman, Denzel, Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jodie Foster, Adam Sandler, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks and now Mos Def…

That doesn’t excuse the fact you misattributed a quote in a failed attempt to prove your otherwise flimsy argument. Mos Def is in no way funded by Saudi dollars also I wouldn’t expect you to know this judging by the quote but Mos Def for the most part has very intelligent, non-violent lyrics. Although, I wouldn’t expect a man of your intelligence, or should I say lack thereof, to enjoy it.

Older white people like “safe”, “conservative” black celebrities who don’t cuss or use slang and display family values. That’s why my mom loves Will Smith and Wayne Brady, even though she can’t tell them apart and always calls them Denzel Williams (A hybrid of Denzel Washington and Montel I guess)…

Wanna see a white guy squirm? Try giving him the latest black handshake combined with the single arm over the shoulder hug. Ha Ha…

Damn white people are funny in our ignorance of anything black. But the book seems to poke fun at us educated left-winged white liberals which do not represent the core of white America; that is made up of mostly conservatives, rednecks, and bible thumpers.

I remember when I was in high school in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, all the corny uber-white kids that did not usually associate with any colored people always brought up Mos Def in conversations about Hip Hop. It’s obvious why sheltered white people like Mos Def. He is one of the most non-threatening rappers in the game. Most of the time, Mos Def dresses like a nerdy white hipster and doesn’t wear the hood uniform of mlb fitted hats and gang colors like a scary, angry thugged out Black dude that hates White people. And he doesn’t rap about selling dope, robbing and or killing people. These topics tend to alienate White people who have always lived comfortable lives free of the relentless daily hardships of being a disenfranchised minority in a Euro-centric White Supremacist society. Whites who listen to Gangsta rap are mostly greasy angry teenagers seeking to piss off their parents and elders, whereas White Mos Def fans are grown up college-educated cookie cutter suburbanites with money, cozy job security and perfect lives.

LOL do you even listen to yourself talk or do you spew broad, stereotyped, masturbatory theories unbeknownst to your weak mental on your own. People don’t listen to Mos Def because he is non-threatening, every rapper is non-threatening, the “hood” rappers just adopt a persona that less intelligent people such as yourself get off to vicariously. People listen to Mos because he makes good music, it’s intelligent and aesthetically pleasing unlike Lil Wayne for instance. I suggest you leave the pseudo-intellectual, self-reassuring physcobabble to Dr. Phil.

All you people need to drop the small probs (is Mos Def threatening, or not . ..), and get at the real prob, stupidity. It is the rallying cry of the majority of today’s youtes. I thought that it (STUPID) was on the run, but it’s back bolder than ever.

White people like quality music like These cool mf’shttp://tastym.blogspot.com/
Mos Deff is liked because he sang don’t push me I’m close to the edge (the message) freestyle while riding in the passenger seat with dave chapelle on the chapelle show, and white people love dave chapelle….

You have a computer and an internet connection dude. How hardship ridden are you. I also noticed you spell prettyy well, so I assume you went to a nice school and probably have everything in common with white people except for your attitude and pigment. You will grow out of it someday young man. And herehttp://tastym.blogspot.com/
are sopme real tunes for you.

That song he sang on Chapelle Show was not The Message. It adapted The Message into a new son. Congratulations, you have provided perfect evidence of a white person liking Mos Def because he’s Mos Def, not because his actual work.

You speak the truth! All of these articles are very well written and funny, but dammit this one made me laugh out loud and clap. One more thing about Mos Def that white people like is that he can be used as a great pick up line, as many white girls worldwide like him. So all you have to say is you like Mos Def, and instantly you’re recognized as somebody who knows poetry, non-commercial rap and indie films. He is the universal hook-up tool of white people.

[…] who are doing something a little different from the norm, whether musically or lyrically. (Yes, Mos Def, I know, thanks. 🙂 I get excited when a new female MC appears, then get disappointed when, almost […]

“He is everything that white people dream about: authentic (“he’s from Brooklyn!”), funny (“he was on Chapelle show!”), artistic (have you heard “Black on Both Sides?”), an actor (“he’s in the new Gondry film!”) and not white (“I don’t see race”).”
So true!

LoL @ “in the olden days”

I’m just waitin’ to read where someone types the word “FAIL!” on here they love sayin that about stuff they don’t like.

I enjoy this site. And it is true, I am extremely white, and I like Mos Def. Not as much as I like, say, the Talking Heads or Band of Horses.

But I wonder if anyone has a theory as to WHY white people purportedly like Mos Def. This post, unlike many of the others in SWPL, doesn’t delve into the reasons white people like Mos Def.

This graf just doesn’t cut it:
He is everything that white people dream about: authentic (“he’s from Brooklyn!”), funny (“he was on Chapelle show!”), artistic (have you heard “Black on Both Sides?”), an actor (“he’s in the new Gondry film!”) and not white (“I don’t see race”).

I can name many other celebrities with similar credentials that wouldn’t make the SWPL cut. So who can tell me: Why do white people like Mos Def?

This goes back to post #116 Listening to music black people don’t listen to anymore…

Now, I can’t tell you why white people like him but I feel he falls into that “old-school hip-hop” category. Black people stopped listening to him because “Black on Both Sides” was the last good album he made (also why he’s an actor now, see 106&Park interview). While Mos Def is still a very talented lyricists, he just isn’t for the mainstream. I like his old stuff and a few recent verses and freestyles but thats about it.

Like you said, there’s others that fit the criteria but I can’t wait until we get #718 Jay-Z!

Good frickin’ point. I was going to use this post to give some color to some photos I took at a Mos Def concert, but unlike the usual SWPL posts, this one just kind of falls short of explaining the “why” question. My two cents:

White people like Mos Def because he does not use words like “traphouse” that they are unfamiliar with and also because they are not intimidated by him. He would be perfectly acceptable guest, albeit a little exotic, at a white people’s cocktail party. Birdman, Plies, or DJ Paul from three6 Mafia? Not so much…

By the way, I am also white and also like Mos Def, and not exactly for the above reasons…I think.

Mos Def…Talented! Proven but yet kept his feet on the ground! Seen on films but hate the glam. One of the rare artist who wanted to showcase his talents and gifts but does not want any attention. A person who is only interested with sharing his craft minus hype and the crap.

Have you listened to “The Ecstatic”? That was one of the best albums of 2009, imo.

Now, I’m not white or black, so I can’t say this or that, BUT I just have to say that it isn’t fair to say that his last good album was Black on Both Sides (although BOBS is a classic!) I love it when musicians evolve and do new things and that’s what you definitely hear on The Ecstatic. The downside is that some people want the artist to stay the same–well, not exactly ‘stay the same’, but you get what I mean. He’s doing things other rap artists aren’t doing now–just listen to his Sweepstakes track on the new Gorillaz album. Anyway, you’re entitled to your opinion and I totally respect that. True that Mos isn’t for mainstream, but I’m gonna have to switch that around and say mainstream isn’t for Mos Def. He’s above that.

And about the ‘why he’s an actor now’–he actually started acting first. He even studied acting at NYU. There was never a transition from the typical rapper-turned-actor. He was just doing both.

Sorry for this long comment, but I just had to get that out, lol. ^_^”

I love Mos Def. He is my favorite MC, however this is primarily based on Black on Both Sides. I didn’t much care for his other solo stuff. Black Star was great, and he has a few other songs here and there, but his taken as a whole, his solo LP’s don’t stack up to Black on Both Sides. It is by far my favorite hip hop record– and has been since it came out.

I didn’t know other White people liked him.

But I must say this, one of the reasons why I love Mos Def is because of one song… Mr. N***a. The track changed my life… Being White, the song allowed me to step into the shoes of a Black man. It allowed me to see how racist attitudes still affect lives of Black men and women on an everyday basis– in everyday situations. The issues and situations he speaks about I had been clueless before I internalized his message. The song was a major wake-up call for me, and through it, I began to see my own behavior. And, through Mos’ words, I was able to change behavior towards people of other races. That song in particular changed my life in ways that few songs have.

[…] from Mos’ most recent album The Ecstatic which I havent pulled out in awhile. Check out this Mos related content 2 make you laugh on this Hump Day. BTW I didnt know Ms Fat Booty had crossed over like that…oh […]

Never heard of Mos Def?!?!?!? you have to be kidding? what little box do you live in. Please tell me it doesn’t have MTV2 stamped on it. anyway I like mos def the actor better than mos def the music man. He has a few good songs here and there. Black Star was ok. but 80% of his songs are pretty bad. He isnt consistent at all.

[…] and although he repeatedly lets white people know how much he hates them, they sure seem to love him. We’ve always been proud and boastful about Black Dante, and trust him to always represent us […]

You don’t like Black star cuz you don’t understand it. And BTW Mos Def, Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, and so on and so on don’t like white people. FOR REAL. Hey…. wait most of us don’t really like white people. LMAO @ white people you think we like you. We like you when you give us our money.

[…] Common, and Kid Cudi, Kanye’s imprint G.O.O.D. Music has added another big name, signing every white person’s favorite rapper Mos Def. No word on what this means as far as new Def material or when he might be dropping a new […]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG! Youre right! A white acting mexican dude tried to talk to me about music and the first thing he mentioned was Mos Def! Kinda like when a white dude says he likes Morgan Freeman as his favorite ctor or a white dude starts playing the blues n his guitar to impress his black friend who doesnt even flirt with that musical genre. Good insight…no offense.

You are the textbook definition of a racist white american. And the sad thing is that you may not even realize it. 99% of all White Americans are racist. You are the perfect example of White Priviledge and institutionalized racism. You’ve probably never heard of it. White people couldn’t see racism if it hit them in the side of the head. So don’t feel guilty or anything. Just keep profiting and writing more racist books for all the racist white americans out there.

The white man’s struggle is a superficial one. He doesn’t need to fight racism or poverty or anything any other minorities in america do. So he just makes lists of things he likes for his own amusement at the expense of other minorities. Your blog is clearly racist. White people can’t see racism because they’ve never experienced it but every other minority in america can see how much of a racist you and everyone who reads it is. You are exposing the true racism in america today.

Mos Def has the IQ of a peanut. His brilliant political observations would be acceptable (maybe) for a 5-year-old, but not a grown man. The nicest thing I could say about his intellect is that he’s the victim of too much ganja. At least that provides some excuse for his inanity.

White people, well all people, also enjoy http://www.NakedHipster.com. Mainly because the girls are hot and don’t have clothes on. Usually those two things go well together. You know, the hotness and the nakedness.
)))
))
)

Mos Def clearly expresses the hopelessness which our young Black males are experiencing every day in America..As Brother Malcolm X quoted “The conditions our people suffer are are extreme and an extreme illness cannot be cured with modern medicine”..Right now America’s educational system is system lynching massive numbers of young Black males, by making it all but impossible for them to learn basic reading and writing skills..Please preview our latest book”Between the Rhetoric and Reality”. It can be previewed on Amazon.com, or Kindle..

I Believe that the writer of this article is suffering from a delusional wish that Black people validate themselves based on what white people attach themselves to. It has been proven that based on African History that Black people can independently established themselves.

“Trinity”
by 1josephjohn on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 5:28pm
See? I’m on my knee saying: “I want you to be my June wife”,
I want to wake up with you after every morning noon and night,
I want to see your beautiful smile waiting for me at the door frame,
I’m not listening I don’t care what people say – sure I’m lame,
everyday I can’t wait to embrace your fiery four foot frame,
I don’t want to hurt you I’m not a player nor do I have game,
I want to be a part of your family I assure you this feeling is to remain,
I won’t give out your number I swear on everything and / or my name,
when you go away I WANT TO feel that pain,
that’s the love I have for you – it’s so insane,
I can’t help but stare – your lips look so beautiful,
I want to be the one and only one who kisses you,
as I continue to stare I’m so in love with those lips,
I want to be on you and above your nose and hips,
oh! and the way you shift,
there I go into a drift,
you’re dripping with sweat,
you squatting gyrating vet,
you’re dancing so exotic,
seducing Joe is the topic,
you’re without pants and wearing only the hottest,
just the sound of your high heels – it’s so hypnotic,
you’re so sexual you’re so full of lust,
steamy and I love the way you thrust,
now you’re just swaying back and forth,
I’m saying! These are all facts for what it’s worth.

[…] embarrassing as it is to acknowledge my extreme fondness for Mos Def after Stuff White People Like exposed just how typical such a fondness is in white folk like myself, I would nevertheless like to […]

I found this to be true when I went to see Black Star at the HOB in Chicago last night. All the white people were there early. I couldn’t even squeeze my way to the front when they did “Brown Skin Lady”. But Mos Def waved at me. I guess he saw my brown face int he sea of white people LOL

[…] to list your favorite actor or artist, you should always say Mos Def. This way you can … [Read More] Tags: mos defNo comments yet… Be the first to leave a reply!Leave a Reply Click here to cancel […]

(Huh) My grandmomma was raised on a reservation
(Huh) My great-grandmomma was, from a plantation
They sang – songs for inspiration
They sang – songs for relaxation
They sang – songs, to take their minds up off that
fucked up situation
I am… yes I am… the descendant (yes yes)
of those folks whose, backs got broke
who, fell down inside the gunsmoke
(Black people!) Chains on they ankles and feet
I am descendants, of the builders of your street
(Black people!) Tenders to your cotton money
I am.. hip-hop
“It’s heavy metal for the black people”
I am.. rock and roll (rock and roll.. rock’n’roll)
BEEN HERE FOREVER!
They just ain’t let you know.. (HA!)

I said, Elvis Presley ain’t got no soul (huh)
Chuck Berry is rock and roll (damn right)
You may dig on the Rolling Stones
But they ain’t come up with that style on they own (uh-uh)
Elvis Presley ain’t got no SOULLLL (hell naw)
Little Richard is rock and roll (damn right)
You may dig on the Rolling Stones
But they ain’t come up with that shit on they own (nah-ah)

I move in, and y’all must move on
‘Cause I move to strong
And I know what my feet move for (Let the sunshine in)
Made it go without a brand new car
Made it fresh without a brand new song
And give a fuck about what brand you are (The suns shining’)
I’m concerned what type of man you are
What your principles and standards are
You understand me y’all
Be good to your family y’all
No matter where your families are
‘Cause everybody needs family y’all
Raise a hand, you understand me y’all
Everybody needs family y’all

American, original, unique, a verbal beast!! Mos Def is all that and more. Sad that rappers of his ilk get little or no radio play. It’s almost like the industry just wants hip-hop fans to hear about violence, death and destruction. Can we get some constructive artists on the top of the sales and awards charts?

The reason all you hear about in commercial hiphop is violence, is America is built on that & nothing sells in this country unless it it harmful to yourself, someone else, a community, an ethnic sector, etc. It is control by the record labels. if the radio stations don’t play “certain songs” they can be forced to pay 47% royalties to the label(s) and/or shut down. Same goes for the nightclubs. The new “men” are the record execs & other media/news moguls. Remember 1% of the population controls 93% of the income & has 42% of all the wealth. Simple economics tells us that you push products sheep (general US public) are unable to live without even if that includes the blood & guts of your own family, friends, or neighbors…

Nice. There is a sign in Memphis at Graceland hotel that says,””Before Elvis, there was nothing.” It is attributed to John Lennon…I don’t know….When I think about all the musical stylings Elvis stole from the early rock and roll pioneers, that statement makes me very sad. He is dead and Little Richard, on this date, is still alive.

yeah right… commercial hip hop stopped being about violence in the late 90’s. when’s the last time you’ve listened to it? now its all about bitches cars and money. i’m not saying what we have today is any better, in fact i think its much much worse, but your comment is just completely false.

Correct nutrients is essential for day to day activities.
The proper nutrition enables you to have sufficient electricity to very last each day while doing sometimes stressful pursuits.
Suitable nourishment also guarantees your survival
for quite some time. The details in this article will allow you to be sure to get the proper
nutrition.

Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice morning!

Meat and Seafood If you would like something filling and simultaneously lower in carbohydrates then check out the set of sea
foods and meat. Stir to blend all ingredients (the warmth in the sausage
and mushrooms will melt the cheese). Some people who has high carbohydrates diet before may feel diarrhea that’s normal and will go away in days. Instead whenever I cover eating routine with the clients within my Skinny Asian Diet program I tend to possess them focus on the basics:. Results indicated fat loss attained through the lowest-carb diet didn’t increase chance of
heart disease within the entire period of six
months.

I appreciate you spending some time and energy
to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both
reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different website and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a second time.

As the capital city of China, Beijing is the center of national politics and culture, and a hub
of Chinese international interaction. Alongside Xian, Luoyang,
Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou, Beijing is one of the Six Ancient Cities
in China. In addition, Beijing was the host
city of the 2008 Summer Olympics. With a population of about 17 million people, Beijing contains 18 districts and counties, which
are further subdivided into 273 lower (third)-level administrative units at the township level.
Situated at the northwest edge of the North China Plain, Beijing City is next to Tianjin City, to its
southeast. The landform of this city basically falls away from
northwest to southeast. Beijing was also known as Peking by
the Western world before 1949. It is one of the famed ancient cities in the world.

With more than two-thousand years of history, Beijing City is a place of military importance.
It had consistently been the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

In the early nineteen-twenties, Beijing became the cradle of
Chinese new democratic revolution. The May Fourth Movement against
imperialism and feudalism began here in 1919. And in Oct.
1, 1949, Beijing became the capital city of the PRC, which opened a new page in this ancient city.
Beijing boasts abundant tourist resources; ancient architecture, royal gardens, mansions, towers,
temples, palaces, and modern structures, including the world-class Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
and the Great Wall at Badaling. With such a mature ability in
receiving tourists, Beijing will be an ideal tour destination to get more of an idea
of China as a country, and moreover as a cultural gathering place for artists and
musicians. Airlines connect Beijing with more than 110 cities at home
and abroad, while the city boasts a fine railroad and highway system for local travelers.
Urban construction has brought new changes to Beijing, resulting in a unique combination of ancient civilization
and modern metropolis.

Yeah, I know, I know that you likely are still losing weight, dieting schedule is almost a necessity despite our
best efforts to insulate them from the negative ones.
Yet another option is to eat fewer calories, you will gain weight.

You are so awesome! I do not think I’ve read something like
this before. So good to find someone with a few genuine thoughts
on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up.
This site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!

Hey would you mind sharing which blog platform
you’re using? I’m planning to stqrt my own blog soon but I’m having a
hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and
I’m lkoking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

To paraphrase Jack Kerouac: “It isn’t what you write, it’s how you write it.” And you do it
extremely well!I just can’t decide if to share this web site
with my buddies or keep it as my own private secret…

Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are
a group of volunteers and starting a new project
in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on.
You have done a wonderful job!

Hello there I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by error, while
I was searching on Bing for something else, Anyways
I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a incredible post and a all round interesting blog
(I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all
at the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so
when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the fantastic
work.

Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to return once
again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be
rich and continue to guide other people.

Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but
I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about
setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?

You can check out images of all the Razer Mass Effect 3 peripherals in your slideshow gallery.
You can purchase from models made available from manufactures like Logitech or Belkins, for instance.
Philippines is but one country where its players wish to receive casino bonuses
which can originate from $50 to $1000. If you are happy to compromise on your own CPU speed, you could manage to grab one that is
certainly more affordable.

Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you
know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why
but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.

What you published was very reasonable. However, think on this,
what if you wrote a catchier post title? I ain’t saying your information
is not solid, however what if you added something that makes
people desire more? I mean #69 Mos Def | Stuff White People Like is a little plain.
You should peek at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create article titles
to get people to open the links. You might add a video or a pic or two to get
people excited about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it would bring your website
a little bit more interesting.

Each show is different and it really depends on whos booking it
and for the bigger shows with celebrities and bands they need a lot
of lead-time. Celebrity impersonations, musical gags, and the use of props are just
some of the things that you could do in your routine.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could take a magic pill and
have a perfect relationship.

After going over a few of the blog articles on your web site, I
really appreciate your technique of writing a blog.
I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be
checking back in the near future. Please visit my website too and let
me know what you think.

This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!

How mild or wild you are willing to be is your call, but the option is there for whatever you want to
experience. Condoms, of course, are always an absolute necessity.
Some of exactly people points which you want to do in buy to attain that accomplishment.

[…] The best plan I can come up with is to get out of my comfort zone a bit. I’ve started trying to listen to genres of music I wouldn’t normally listen to. As a result, I have fallen in love with Mos Def. […]

To begin with for those who have a brand
new vehicle that you’ve a loan or lease on you’ll be needed to buy collision and comprehensive.
2007 Auto Complaint Listing (ranked lowest number at top, higher as
you go down). The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights
of the Indian life insurance industry, including:.

I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this
website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this
from. cheers

Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better!
Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept talking about this. I will send this post to him.
Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog website?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had
been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered vibrant clear concept

Hello there, I believe your web site could be having internet browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E.,
it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a
quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful site!

I’m now not sure the place you are getting your information, but
great topic. I must spend a while finding out much more
or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic info I was in search of this information for my mission.

Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed
reading it, you will be a great author. I will make
sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later
in life. I want to encourage you continue your great work,
have a nice day!

Heya! I know this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask.
Does managing a well-established blog such as yours
require a large amount of work? I’m brand new to writing a blog
however I do write in my diary on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience
and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of
recommendations or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.
Thankyou!

After looking at a few of the blog articles on your web site, I really
like your technique of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my
web site too and tell me how you feel.

Thanks for another informative blog. Where else could I get that type of
info written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.

I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your Feed too.

I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.

Legitimate way to learn about for financial information on cannibus in Canada|Canadian source for the cannabis industry|Canada’s first cannabis as disruptor
in health, law enforcement, and practically every other industry or sector|Canada’s number one high stakes public affairs
firm brings you Legalized. A podcast completely focussed on marijuana
in Canada|ndp marijuana|Best cannabis in canada podcast|This podcast makes
me feel I know what I’m talking about